Kahuku football star Liona Lefau selects Texas
Jun. 26—Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and now Texas.
No longer just a hotbed of recruiting for schools on the West Coast, Hawaii continues to land its top-ranked football talent at the biggest programs in the country.
Texas won the sweepstakes for the No. 1-ranked recruit out of Hawaii in the class of 2023 on Saturday when Kahuku linebacker Liona Lefau made his commitment public on social media.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound linebacker, who led the Red Raiders to a state championship last year and was named the Honolulu Star-Advertiser All-State Defensive Player of the Year, had narrowed a list of more than 25 offers to a top eight that included Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC and Washington.
Lefau posted a nearly three-minute video to Instagram announcing his decision.
Earlier in the week, Texas secured a commitment from the No. 1-rated player in the country, quarterback Arch Manning, the nephew of Eli and Peyton Manning.
Lefau is ranked as the No. 29 linebacker prospect in the country and one of two four-star prospects in this class from Hawaii, with Farrington offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu the other.
Lefau had taken visits to Utah, Texas and Oregon this month before making his commitment.
He is one of seven seniors from Kahuku who have at least one Division I offer.
With his commitment to Texas and 'Iolani defensive lineman Ha'aheo Dela Cruz announcing his decision to accept a scholarship offer to Hawaii, nine of the 20 players who will be seniors in the fall with at least one Division I offer have made non-binding commitments.
Arizona has landed three of those players in Mililani two-way standout Gavin Hunter, Roosevelt linebacker Kamuela Kaaihue and Saint Louis defensive lineman Julian Savaiinaea.
Hawaii, which landed Dela Cruz as one of four players to commit to the Rainbow Warriors in the past 48 hours, has also secured commitments from Waianae offensive lineman Josiah Timoteo, Saint Louis receiver Mason Muaau, who was offered by Colorado State after making his commitment known, and Punahou quarterback John-Keawe Sagapolutele.
Saint Louis receiver Trech Kekahuna committed to Wisconsin a week ago.
Since Tua Tagovailoa signed with Alabama as part of the 2017 recruiting class, 119 high school seniors from Hawaii have signed with Division I schools, including a record 33 in 2020 and 31 in'19.
Ten soon-to-be juniors and 13 incoming sophomores in Hawaii have also received at least one Division I scholarship already.
