ESPN's Air Force Defensive MVP

[Ole]

Jordan Waiwaiole from Spring Lake Park/Saint Anthony MN
45 tackles 4.5 for loss 2 sacks 1 INT 1 FF
Always hoped this was one that got away that wouldn't sting.
Was a legit athlete at SLPSA, huge numbers his junior year, but broke his leg/arm/something his senior year I believe. Still always thought he'd be a diamond in the rough type.
They ARE out there in MN if you can find them, definitely not a blanket statement advocating for only focusing on local recruits, we need to hit FL, TX, OH, etc, but I have to think we can do a better job of getting guys like this to stay home. He was not highly recruited.

 

[Silvio]

While ranking the pros & cons of attending the Air Force Academy several items were probably higher on the list than football. There are reasons most people end up at the service academies and sports is usually down the list.

 

[KD6-3.7]

Did he have ANY other DI offers?

It wasn't just Minnesota that missed out on him it was Iowa, Iowa State, Wisconsin, NDSU--none offered.

Now, back to your self-pity.

 

[dpodoll68]

I was a substitute teacher at SLP 3-4 years ago, and I had Jordan in some of my classes. Heck of a nice kid, and a great athlete to boot. I always hoped the U would offer, but they never came through. He had his heart set on going the military route, so I'm not sure whether an offer would've even mattered, but I'd think he would've come here if given the opportunity.

 

[RodentRampage]

I doubt he went there because he could play football, those who attend the service academies go there because they want to be an officer. Football is extra.

But when you hear about Minnesota passing over talent, it needs to be remembered that a lot of other schools passed over them too. No guarantees. That being said, finding local talent that has flown under the radar is a big help to any team. That's why a relationship with HS coaches is so important, you want coaches to keep the U informed. There could be some good talent even at 9-man schools, the U can't scout every school, but they can be tipped off.

 

[dpodoll68]

I doubt he went there because he could play football, those who attend the service academies go there because they want to be an officer. Football is extra.

I hear what you're saying, but this kid can ball. I'm still shocked that a MAC or Sun Belt-type school didn't try to bring him in.

Besides all of the other inherent disadvantages service academies have (stringent academic and disciplinary standards, can't have 300 lb. linemen because of fitness standards, etc.), another important factor is that they don't redshirt. Waiwaiole would look pretty damn good in a Gopher uniform right now as a RS Soph, rocking on special teams and contributing as a pass rush specialist on defense.

 

[WillieBurton]

Jordan was invited to the Gophers' one-day, invite-only camp in June after his junior year. He was one of the fastest kids there and he moved well. However, at the time, he was a defensive end and he weighed only about 200 pounds so the coaches may have had a hard time projecting him. Obviously, he was able to make the adjustment to OLB without too much trouble. He was interested in Minnesota at that time though, and, who knows, if we would have offered, it might have been a different story.