Hawaii prospect blowing up

Nearly all of the Pac-10 has there eyes on Honolulu for a fast-rising defensive end from Kamehameha School-Kapalama. Lake Koa-Ka'ai claims several major offers- Arizona, California, Colorado, Oklahoma, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington, and Washington and Washington State.

"It has been surreal," Koa-Ka'ai said. "It has always been my dream to be someone that everyone else in the community recognizes as a good football player. But now I am living my dream. I still have a lot to work on. But I am really fortunate to have several offers. It is nice to not have just one offer and have more than one school I can choose from."

Sticking out on the Kamehameha Warriors defense is no easy task. Last season, Koa-Ka'ai teamed with fellow defensive end Beau Yap (signed with Hawaii), and 2011 prospect Maka Pickard is another defensive lineman that gets his fair share of big plays.

"I started half of my sophomore season," Koa-Ka'ai said. "Last summer, I started working really hard. I only went to one camp, in Maui. Our head coach, coach [David] Stant, helps out a lot. He went to a coaching seminar in Florida and hands out our tapes at those type of events. I think that is how Stanford saw me."

"Wyoming offered me verbally at the end of my sophomore season. They sent the letter in later. Arizona came in during the middle of my junior season. Stanford was the next offer, that arrived in December or January. Recruiting took off from there."

Koa-Ka'ai will return the favor later this week by making a trip to the continent to visit a handful of schools.

"I leave this Thursday. My first stop will be colorado, then I will jump to Wyoming. After that, I am going to Stanford for their junior day on the 22nd, then I will drive over to California for a visit, then come home."

Koa-Ka'ai said he would like to make one more trip later this summer to see UCLA, Oregon and perhaps a couple of more schools.

"I am open to everything right now," Koa-Ka'ai said. "I am open to going to school anywhere. If a school on the east coast fits me best, I will go there. I actually grew up rooting for Nebraska, Penn State, and Michigan State."

Koa-Ka'ai said Stanford and Oregon are recruiting him the hardest. He said Washington is not far behind.

"I am looking for a school where I could possibly play early in my career," Koa-Ka'ai said. "Most colleges are telling me that I would be an outside linebacker or stand-up, rushing defensive end. I want a good school. Academics are important to me. I also want a school that will give me a shot at playing in the pros."

(Note: Rivals.com will release the Hawaii state rankings on Tuesday. We expect film of Koa-Ka'ai to arrive soon, but likely not in time to include him in the state rankings release.)