Boise State has been making waves in recruiting this summer, this time coming from the island of Oahu. Kapolei high school DE Kukea Emmsley has committed to Boise State. Emmsley is the nephew of former Boise State Bronco DE Loa Emmsley. The 6'4", 225 lbs DE chose Boise State over Army, Fresno State, Hawaii, Navy, Oregon State, and a seemingly significant one in the Oregon Ducks.
Emmsley visited Boise State in mid-June to compete in the Broncos summer camp, where he won the Defensive Line MVP award and earned an offer from the Broncos. Emmsley also won the Defensive Line MVP award at The Opening's Bay Area Regional back in May.
He came to town with his little brother, dad, and grandparents, "I loved it [Boise]. It was a really different town than what I am used to back home. The town was really a true college town. That is something I don't have at home. We were all excited to see my childhood dream school."
Along with loving the school, Emmsley was impressed by the coaching staff and the organization of the camp, "I absolutely love that they have GREAT coaches. Especially the DL coach (Steve Caldwell) and Linebackers coach (DC Andy Avalos). It was a well-run camp as well. Really impressed me how they run things there."
As noted earlier, Kukea is the nephew of former Boise State Bronco DE Loa Emmsley. Kukea did attend a few Bronco games when he was young, but he was only 3 at the time so he doesn't recall everything exactly, "I remember it wasn't how it is now. I don't remember a lot because I was super young. I was 3 and I remember going to the games holding up that spongy thing you put on your hands and it looks like a big hand with only 1 finger up. And I remember banging those two long sticks filled with air and banging them together to make noise lol. I also remember walking with him after a game one time. That was pretty much it. But ever since that I have been a Boise State fan."
As of June, Emmsley stated he planed on signing in February 2018. He describes himself as a hard worker, and that is part of why he identifies with Boise State, "I am a hard worker and that's what I like about Boise. I want to be surrounded by hard workers that have the mindset of winning. I have a playing style of being aggressive and will do my best on every rep."
Kukea’s commitment is another feather in the hat of Coach Harsin and his staff. He has shown the ability to beat PAC 12 teams in recruiting battles and it is a significant win not only to get a player of Emmsley’s caliber but also to beat a school like Oregon head to head for a player. This commitment gives the Broncos 7 in this class, all of them rated 3 stars by at least one recruiting site.
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/5529395/57fbd9903bd8156df01efec6
*Jeremy Rodrigues wrote the majority of this report from his interview with Kukea at a previous date*