Kapolei backer about to take off

Kapolei (Hawaii) linebacker Tuu Lolohea is back from a trip to the mainland which featured a stop in Corvallis for Oregon State's prospect camp. The 6-foot-2 prospect spent four days on campus, working out each day, and learning more about the Beavers program. Lolohea feels he is close to landing an offer from Oregon State.

"I really liked Oregon State," Lolohea said. "Their defensive coordinator (Mark Banker) just told me to be patient. After going to their camp, seeing their caoches, it is just a different place. I love their linebacker coach (Greg Newhouse)."

Coach Newhouse was able to sell Oregon State's defensive philosophy to the talented linebacker.

"Their defense is not all about just being fast," Lolohea said. "It is about using your vision on defense. In Hawaii, we are all aggressive, but some players don't play with great vision. That is what I like to do, play with vision. I learned a lot more about doing that at Oregon State's camp."

Oregon State has made recruiting Hawaii a priority over the last few years. Oregon State signed five prospects from Hawaii in the class of 2007. Last year, three-star defensive end Mana Rosa signed with the Beavers.

"I felt at home because there are a lot of local kids from Hawaii," Lolohea said. "I did not feel homesick. It feels like family there, the coaches treat you right. Some of the Hawaiian guys have not even gone home at all this summer and they are ok with that. I like how they trained. Football is year round, they are very disciplined, and that is the type of program I want to be in."

Tuu has one scholarship offer.

"Hawaii has offered a scholarship," Lolohea stated. "I like that my family would be able to see me play. I like coach Greg McMackin. I went to their camp for a day. They liked what they saw out of me. I would like to stay home, because my family is here. I have a lot of friends here, and Hawaii is a really good program. But I will go anywhere. It is important to me that my parents don't have the burden of paying for college."

Lolohea said he is also getting mail from Colorado, but does not know much about the Buffaloes program. He said he wants to keep his options open, but he admitted that one school does have the lead right now.

"Right now, I really want to go to Oregon State, they are my number one right now. I loved hanging out there and being at the camp. I loved the campus and the weather. I like the fact that Corvallis is a smaller town. I can focus more on school that way. They want their kids to graduate and get a degree. I don't want to go to college just to play football, I want to get a degree and be able to get a job."