Tuihalamaka cant wait

Torrance (Calif) El Camino C.C. four-star outside linebacker Vuna Tuihalamaka said on Monday night that he was going to wait things out and take an official visit to Oregon State before he made his decision.

That wait didn't last too long, though.

Tuihalamaka, the nation's No. 25 junior college player according to Rivals.com, picked up the phone and called Arizona coach Mike Stoops late last night to let him know that he had committed to the Wildcats.

He then was joined as a commitment by his cousin, four-star defensive end Apaiata Tuihalamaka of Gardena (Calif.) Serra. Both players talked to Stoops again this morning to let him know the good news.

"I committed last night," Vuna Tuihalamaka said. "My whole family agrees it's the best place for me. I then called my cousin, Apaiata, to tell him the news. He then called and committed to Arizona, too. I know he had committed to another school, but he was pretty much waiting to see what I was going to do.

"I told him this morning about my commitment, and then he called and told me he also committed to coach Stoops. We then talked to coach Stoops, too. He was really excited."

Mike Tuiasosopo recruited both players for the Wildcats, and Vuna Tuihalamaka said the Wildcats' ace recruiter pretty much knew he was Tucson bound.

"He said he knew the whole time that Arizona was the best place for me," Tuihalamaka said. "He's a great guy. I can't wait to be coached by a coach like that."

Arizona's defense also played a factor in Tuihalamaka's decision.

"I'm pretty excited about the style of defense they run," he said.

"They like to fly around and make big plays and big hits. That's the way that I play. They have some big holes to fill, and I could play right away."

Tuihalamaka said he has "no plans now" to take any other visits. He was also offered scholarships by Oregon State, Colorado, Iowa State and others.