Hawaii standout has favorite
Four-star defensive tackle Kaniela Tuipulotu (6-2, 275, 5.0) from Kahuku, Hawai'i was named the Aloha State's preseason No. 1 player by Rivals.com for the class of '07 and made the Rivals.com top 250 team.
The talented defensive tackle as offers on the table from Arizona, Oregon State, BYU, Utah, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Boise State and Hawai'i.
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Tuipulotu has a current favorite school.
"Utah right now is my top school," Tuipulotu said. "I went to their camp for the last three years and a lot of their players.
"Utah also has a lot of players from Hawai'i and Kahuku. I also have relatives in the area."
"Utah's coaches are very laid back. They don't try to put too pressure me into anything.
"I'm definitely going to take an official trip to Utah," Tuipulotu said. "Then I will wait to see if any other schools come into the picture."
"I want to leave Hawai'i to go to school," Tuipulotu said. "I want to play on the mainland. I've lived in Hawai'i all my life. Utah has the best defensive line coach in Gary Andersen."
"I may take visits to Arizona and Boise State," Tuipulotu said. "They are two of my biggest offers. Boise State have been tough for the last couple of years and haven't been blown out by anyone.
Tuipulotu earned first-team all-state honors after accounting for approximately 50 tackles, an outstanding for an inside guy 15 sacks, one fumble caused and one interception that he brought back 71 yards for a touchdown.
Tuipulotu junior season performance helped Kahuku win the state championship.
The scouting report on Tuipulotu is he's very physical and aggressive. You can handle him with just one blocker. He plays the game with a mean streak and shows the opposition no mercy. Tuipulotu has a very quick first step that makes him tough to block.