Parker and Robins could be chasing teammate Mariota
They’re both Saint Louis Crusaders on their way to college soon, but one is still opening doors.
While Marcus Mariota has been rock-solid on his early oral commitment to play football at Oregon, teammate Juda Parker is weighing his options.
Parker, the Star-Advertiser All-State defensive player of the year, visited the University of Hawaii last month. He played in the US Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio yesterday. Next he’ll go to Corvalis, Ore., to visit the campus of Oregon State.
A week later, he is scheduled to visit Colorado.
"I just want to take my trips and see where I’m comfortable and see what school’s right for me," he said before flying to Texas.
If he decides on Oregon State, Parker would join a number of former islanders playing for the Beavers. He’d also be with Saint Louis teammate Na’Alii Robins, who committed to the Beavers in October. That scenario would be surreal in the future with their friend and teammate, Mariota, set to play quarterback for rival Oregon.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
"We’re a duo. We’d be chasing after Marcus Mariota. That would be real good stuff chasing after Marcus, an old teammate. I guess in college, I guess you forget about, you know, high school days and put in work," said Parker, who knows the frustration of facing a shifty, smart quarterback every day at practice.
"I could finally hit him, so that would be good. Just give him a good shot and say, ‘Good job,’ " Parker said.
From Kalaepohaku to the wet Northwest, things can change quickly. Parker could easily provide all the scouting tips the Beavers need, should he end up wearing orange and black.
"He is very fast; when he gets into stride and really opens up, he’s tough," he said of Mariota, the Hawaii offensive player of the year. "I would say he’s faster on a football field (than at a combine). It’s different, combine speed and football speed. He excels at both."
Parker, at 6 feet 4 and 245 pounds, was an ironman at Word of Life for three years before the school closed its doors. Since arriving at Saint Louis, he’s become a specialist of sorts and is continuing to master his position.
"I try to work on the change of direction. I know for defensive ends playing in between the boxes and between 20 yards, you really gotta be quick, be able to change your hips and the direction and motion," he said.
Mariota remains as enthused about the Ducks as ever. Oregon plays Auburn for the national championship tomorrow.
"I’m still excited. If they win, they’re the No. 1 team in the nation. I can’t wait to get up there," the 6-4, 190-pound slinger said.
He looked very much like a future Oregon playmaker at Saint Louis, which adopted some of the Ducks’ offensive plays.
"The zone read, some of the play-action was Oregon. Oregon seems to create new looks every week. They’re still building upon their offense, and as they’re building, schools here will catch on and follow their ways," Mariota said. "But if you recruit the players you need at each position, you’re fine."
Here’s a look at more local prospects:
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
» Kamehameha’s Travis Namohala (6-3, 280) has an offer from Idaho State, according to his coach, David Stant.
» Kapolei guard Samson Kaleikini (6-6, 265) will visit Montana next weekend and Oregon State the weekend after.
QUARTERBACKS
» In addition to Mariota, Mililani passer Trent McKinney has also committed. The 6-foot, 175-pound senior chose Montana last month.
RECEIVERS
» Mililani’s Hassan Richardson has an offer from Montana. The 6-4, 190-pound wideout will visit the campus on Jan. 22.
» McKinley’s Solomon Dixon, who started at wide receiver and cornerback, committed to Idaho in the fall.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
» Richard Villasenor (6-2, 240) of Moanalua has an offer from New Mexico State.
» Ezek Kupa Suivaala (6-3, 280) of Leilehua will visit Weber State on Jan. 28.
» Moanalua’s Jordan Tanioka (5-11, 245) is considering Azusa Pacific.
LINEBACKERS
» Lahainaluna’s Mitchell Loewen, a late bloomer, may walk on at UH. The 6-5, 245-pound senior grew 2 inches and gained 55 pounds in the offseason leading to his senior year.
CORNERBACKS
» Kamehameha’s Walter Santiago, an All-State first-team selection, has an offer from Idaho State, coach Stant said.
» Moanalua’s Emilio Mendoza (5-7, 140) has interest from Pacific (Ore.).
SPECIALISTS
» Baldwin place kicker Ceejay Santos, an All-State first-team pick, may walk on at Hawaii. Santos’ longest field goal this season was 53 yards.
QUARTERBACKS
» Marcus Mariota, Saint Louis, 6-4, 190
Committed to Oregon
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Trent McKinney, Mililani, 6-0, 175
Committed to Montana
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team, also punts
» Puletua Wilson, Waianae, 6-1, 185
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Evan Moe, Kahuku, 6-0, 213
Interest: Portland State, Dixie
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Honorable Mention
RUNNING BACKS
» Chester Su’a, Kaimuki, 6-2, 210
Committed to Washington State
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Zachary Payomo, Mililani, 5-7, 169
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Victor Moananu, Waipahu, 5-7, 190
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Jesse Carney, Kalaheo, 5-10, 180
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team (Utility)
» Ikaika Gante, Anuenue, 5-8, 160
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Galeai "Mua" Malufau, Kahuku, 5-10, 178
Interest: Dixie
RECEIVERS
» Hassan Richardson, Mililani, 6-4, 190
Offer: Montana. (Note: Wyoming pulled an offer early in the season after establishing a deadline.)
Visits: Montana (Jan. 22 or 23)
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Fred Padrones, Leilehua, 5-9, 170
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Duke Bukoski, Saint Louis, 6-2, 190
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Solomon Dixon, McKinley, 5-10, 160
Committed to Idaho
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team (Utility)
» Darrien Shealy, Leilehua, 6-1, 175
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Eric Lum, Kailua, 5-10, 167 Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Ro Wilson, Baldwin, 6-3, 180
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Joshua Tupua, Saint Louis, 5-10, 190
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Punga Vea, Kahuku, 6-1, 160
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Everett Kim, Pac-Five, 5-9, 160
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Shairone Thompson, Kahuku, 6-5, 199, TE
Offer: Wyoming
Interest: Dixie
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
» Paulay Asiata, Saint Louis, 6-5, 300
Visits: Washington (Jan. 14), Colorado (Jan. 21)
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Jamal Napeahi, Kahuku, 6-1, 283
Offer: Arizona Western JC
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Blaze Ryder, Kamehameha, 6-1, 260
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Steven Siilata, Kahuku, 6-0, 265
Interest: Dixie
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Christopher Thee, Kahuku, 6-0, 254
Offer: Weber State, Arizona Western JC
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Chase Yamada, Mililani, 5-6, 307
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Cameron Lalau, Mililani, 6-2, 327
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Piulu Kahapea, Kailua, 6-2, 298
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Keenan Faatea, Punahou, 6-0, 295
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Haoa Lono, Waianae, 5-11, 205
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Houston Clemente, Saint Louis, 6-5, 275
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Kekuapono Kalua, Moanalua, 5-11, 270
Offer: Pacific
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Travis Namohala, Kamehameha, 6-3, 280
Offer: Idaho State
» Samson Kaleikini, Kapolei, 6-6, 265
Visits: Montana (Jan. 14), Oregon State (Jan. 21)
» Tevita Tonga, Kahuku, 6-3, 310
Offer: Arizona Western JC
DEFENSIVE ENDS
» Juda Parker, Saint Louis, 6-4, 245
Decommitted from Tennessee
Visits: Hawaii (Dec. 17), Oregon State (Jan. 13), Colorado (Jan. 21)
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team … played in the US Army All-American Bowl
» Koa Ka’ai, Kamehameha, 6-5, 250
Offers: Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Stanford, Washington
Visits: Nebraska (Oct. 15), Colorado (Jan. 21)
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Richard Villasenor, Moanalua, 6-2, 240
Offer: New Mexico State
» Nicholas Acoba, Kahuku, 5-11, 220
Interest: Western Oregon
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
» Dallin Muti, Kahuku, 6-0, 256
Interest: Weber State
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Ilaio Sio, Aiea, 5-11, 250
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Na’Alii Robins, Saint Louis, 6-3, 245
Committed to Oregon State (Oct. 3)
Visit: Oregon State (Oct. 2)
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Ioane Sagapolu, Farrington, 6-0, 275
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Jordan Tanioka, Moanalua, 5-11, 245
Offer: Azusa Pacific
» Ezek Kupa Suivaaia, Leilehua, 6-3, 280
Visit: Weber State (Jan. 28)
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» K.J. Uluave, Kahuku, 6-5, 216
Interest: Utah State
LINEBACKERS
» Kyle "K.T." Tuumalo, Punahou 6-2, 195
Committed to Boise State
Offers: Arizona, Boise State, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon State, San Diego State
Visits: Boise State (Nov. 6), Oregon State (Nov. 13), Arizona (Dec. 11). Canceled Colorado (Jan. 21)
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Justin Vele, Farrington, 6-0, 224
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Ben Mamea, Kahuku, 6-0, 217
Offer: Hawaii, Arizona Western JC
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Starr Sua-Passi, Saint Louis, 6-1, 220
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Cody Petro-Sakuma, ‘Iolani, 5-7, 175
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Lancelot Williams, Farrington, 6-0, 211
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Ray Cooper, Pearl City, 5-8, 175
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team (Utility)
» Chavez Kauwalu, Waianae, 5-8, 195
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» T.J. Tito, Kahuku, 5-11, 226
Interest: Weber State
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Mitchell Loewen, Lahainaluna, 6-5, 245
Offer: may walk on at Hawaii
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Honorable Mention
CORNERBACKS
» Walter Santiago Jr., Kamehameha, 5-11, 185
Offer: Idaho Satate
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Reid Saito, ‘Iolani, 5-10, 180
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Trayson Medeiros, Kahuku, 5-10, 172
Interest: Dixie
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Kainoa Raguindin, Aiea, 5-8 ,170
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Leland Gomez, Saint Louis, 5-9, 175
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Emilio Mendoza, Moanalua, 5-7, 140
Offer: Pacific
SAFETIES
» Tigi Hill, Kahuku, 6-3, 215
Offers: Hawaii, Oregon State, SMU, Utah State
JC offer: Arizona Western
JC interest: Chabot, Mt. Sac
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Chucky Kaahanui, Aiea, 5-10, 175
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
» Elijah Lagafuaina, Mililani, 6-0, 185
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Cyrus Coen, Pearl City, 6-0, 205
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Second Team
» Peni Vea, Kealakehe, 6-1, 185
Visit: Idaho (Nov. 12)
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
» Kalei Contrades, Saint Louis, 5-10, 185
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State Third Team
PLACE KICKERS
» Ceejay Santos, Baldwin, 6-1, 183
Offer: may walk on at Hawaii
Notes: Star-Advertiser All-State First Team
