2015 Introduction: Rex Manu

Breiden Fehoko and Canton Kaumaule understandably garner much of the press, but Hawaii has several talented players in addition the pair of four-star recruits in the 2015 class. One of those prospects is Mililani High School defensive tackle Rex Manu, who holds offers from Stanford, Colorado, Army and Hawaii. Schools like USC, Oregon, UCLA and BYU have also expressed interest.

Stanford extended Manu a scholarship offer earlier this month. Manu had spoken with a couple of Cardinal coaches prior to the offer, and received word that Stanford was extending a scholarship when his head coach pulled him out of class one day to deliver the news.

"I've heard from numerous people that the education, the campus, and almost everything about them is amazing," Manu said. "I have watched them play a few games. I thought it was a pretty awesome program. And then I found out they offered me, so I thought that was, like, amazing."

One of the people best qualified to share information about Cardinal football with Manu is a fellow native of Hawaii, Luke Kaumatule. Manu has known Kaumatule, a rising junior defensive lineman on The Farm from the Punahou School, for several years, and is a friend of the family.

"I do know Luke and his little brother (Canton) that's going to Punahou right now," Manu said. "We're actually really close friends, like practically family already."

"I attended Punahou my freshman year with his brother. When I was over there I got to know Luke and I slept over at their house a couple of times and stuff, hung out with their family."

Manu has yet to take any college recruiting trips and only has one planned - a Junior Day visit to Stanford this coming weekend.

The Cardinal is one of three early standouts in Manu's recruitment.

"Definitely Stanford (stands out)," Manu said. "Army just came into the picture and their program seems pretty impressive also. And Colorado. So Stanford, Army, Colorado."

What factors will play into his decision?

"Definitely the atmosphere in which the football team and the school itself teaches and keeps the students in, because that's a big part for me," Manu said. "When it comes to learning I like to be comfortable and feel like family with everybody. I guess the overall area that it's in (also plays a role, as does) the quality of their major that I'm interested in. There's a lot of things that play a part in it, but I guess those would be the main things."

Manu is leaning towards majoring in chemical engineering. He doesn't plan to make an early college decision.

"I'm definitely going to take my visits and then most likely wait until Signing Day (before deciding)," Manu said.

Manu is a member of the LDS church but does not plan to serve a two-year church mission.