Hawaii Grown: QBs Gabriel and de Laura, LB Herbig among FBS players to watch from Hawaii
Aug. 31—Eighty-five players who graduated from high school in Hawaii are currently listed on the rosters of FBS schools on the mainland.
Eighty-five players who graduated from high school in Hawaii are currently listed on the rosters of FBS schools on the mainland.
Here are five names to watch :
Dillon Gabriel QB, Oklahoma The former UCF quarterback makes his OU debut Saturday against UTEP after a busy offseason. Gabriel originally announced his decision to transfer to UCLA before then committing to Oklahoma instead just before school started in January.
His impact in Norman, Okla., has already been felt as he was named one of five team captains for the opener. Former Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables is making his Oklahoma coaching debut and will go with Gabriel at QB after the left-hander threw for more than 8, 000 yards and 70 touchdowns in 26 games with the Knights.
Jayden de Laura QB, Arizona Another QB who found a new home in the offseason is the former Saint Louis Crusader who left Washington State after Nick Rolovich was fired as head coach for failing to comply with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
De Laura has been tabbed as the starter ever since he arrived on campus in Tucson following a 2021 campaign in which he was named the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2021 after throwing for 2, 796 yards and 23 touchdowns.
The Wildcats open on the road at San Diego State on Saturday and de Laura, one of five team captains, will see a familiar name starting on the line in front of him at right guard in true freshman Jonah Savaiinaea, another Saint Louis alum.
Nick Herbig LB, Wisconsin The Saint Louis alum enters the season as the top-rated returning edge rusher in the country, according to Pro Football Focus.
Herbig had a monster sophomore season with 61 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks and was chosen to represent the Badgers at Big Ten Media Days last month.
The Associated Press named him to its preseason All-America second team and another jump this year as a junior could put him in position to be selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Marist Liufau LB, Notre Dame The Punahou product had a lot of hype surrounding him entering his sophomore season, which was derailed by a broken ankle suffered in fall camp just before the season started.
He has bulked up to 235 pounds and has former Miami head coach Al Golden as his third different defensive coordinator in as many years.
Liufau has been on a "pitch count " during camp but is listed at the top of the depth chart at the WILL linebacker spot and isn't expected to have any limitations on his playing time during the opener on Saturday against Ohio State.
Wayne Taulapapa RB, Washington After spending four years at Virginia, the Punahou product decided to go across the country and use his final year of eligibility to play for the Huskies, who announced him as their starting running back on the depth chart this week for Saturday's opener against Kent State.
Taulapapa rushed for 1, 192 yards and 19 touchdowns during his tenure with the Cavaliers, but is expected to carry a heavy load at UW. Despite never suiting up in the purple and gold, Taulapapa was named one of six team captains this week.
