It's been a quiet summer on the recruiting trail for Hawaii, but last night they made a little noise with the verbal commits of Kahuku High School's Salanoa Alo-Wily and Soli Afalava. Both are the third and fourth commitments of the 2015 class respectively.
Scout.com has Wily (6-1, 270) as a three-star defensive end, and had received offers from Oregon State and Colorado prior to his commitment to the Warriors monday night. "I've been watching (the Warriors') practices," Wily told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. "It feels right. I feel like staying home." He performed well at the All-Poly camp in Utah this summer, leaving Scout.com to write: "The Kahuku defensive lineman is a terror for opponents. Wily fires off the ball really well. During one-on-ones, very few offensive linemen could keep up with his quickness and, if they could, he displayed the strength to have his way with them." Wily's older brother, Aofaga Wily, was a former member of the Warriors football team, starting two games as a true freshman in 2013 before a season-ending concussion, and would retire from football shortly thereafter.
Afalava is a two-star prospect according two Scout.com, and has been playing both Safety and Running Back for the Red Raiders. He wants to play at Safety, but has been told he can compete at either position. He received offers from Colorado, Oregon State, Nevada, Washington State, and California prior to his commitment to UH.
Instantly, Wily reminds me of current Hawaii Defensive End Beau Yap. He's quick getting off the line and shedding blocks, and seems to be a good fit on any part of the defensive line or even Linebacker when he come to UH. Afalava is bigger than any of the safeties currently on Hawaii's roster, so he would bring a size advantage to the back four to the Warriors. Both are great pick ups for Norm Chow's 2015 class, and bring a lot of potential into Honolulu come 2015.