Players, coaches reap benefits from Maximum Exposure camp

Participants line up for a running drill at the Maximum Exposure Camp at Mililani High School's John Kauinana Stadium. Joshua Lopez | Special to SL

MILILANI - It was football's answer to baseball's showcase.

The three-day Maximum Exposure 2014 football camp for high school players kicked off Friday night at Mililani High's John Kauinana Stadium. The benefits were two-fold: Players got instruction from college coaches and the coaches got a close-up look at talent they might want to recruit for their respective programs.

Just as there were various skill levels of players, there were coaches from programs to fit their needs. Represented were BCS teams to Division II.

The most recognizable name among the coaches was Kansas' Charlie Weis. He already has established recruiting connections last year with the signing of former Saint Louis linebacker Colton Goeas, who red-shirted this past season.

"It's real important for the players and their families to know that the head coach is a family guy," Weis said of recruiting here. "I found that just about any state I go to, Hawaii's all about family. I think if they realize you're a family guy, parents are more willing to turn their kid over to your guidance. I think that's a real important element."

Hawaii is so important to Kansas recruiting that the Jayhawks have already scheduled a home-and-home series in 2016 and 2017 with the University of Hawaii. Weis said there is no shortage of talent here.

"Every year there's players that I like," said Weis, who cannot name specific players because of NCAA recruiting rules. "That's the bottom line. There isn't a year that goes by where there are players out here that I'd like to have on my team."

Weis has first-hand knowledge of the talent available here. He had Punahou alums Manti Te'o and Robby Toma, as well as Kahuku alumnus Kona Schwenke.

"As a matter of fact, I had dinner with Robby Toma last night," Weis said.

The some 300 players were ready to showcase their talents for the coaches.

"This is real big to me," said Kamehameha senior center Radson Jang. "I look forward to this kind of camp, especially for the Hawaii boys. Many of us don't have the money to travel. I thank Aunty Doris (Sullivan of PIAA) for organizing this and the coaches for coming down because at least we get the exposure. My main goal is to show what I got and hope coaches like it."

Jang recently received an offer from the U.S. Military Academy from assistant Sean Saturnio, the former Waipahu coach. Jang said the military never crossed his mind until he talked with Saturnio, who explained to him the benefits.

"My parents would be happy if I went," said Jang, who aded his dream is to play for Oregon State, which was present at the camp.

Mililani quarterback McKenzie Milton was a happy camper because the seven-on-seven drills presented a challenge for him in preparing for his second season for the Trojans' varsity.

"It's good to see the other schools' guys, getting the timing on their routes," Milton said. "Lot of really good football players out here today, some of the best in the state like (Campbell's) Solomon Matautia, those (line)backers from Punahou, a couple from our school and a lot of boys from Kahuku. It gives you some good looks against guys you're going to be going up against."

Among them was Kahuku junior safety Louis Keala Santiago, who extends the familiar family name for another generation in Red Raiders' football.

"It's important to get the college coaches' eyes on us," Santiago said.

Even though he still has two more seasons before college, Milton said there is some pressure to perform well in front of the coaches.

""it's a lot of fun," he said. "It's time show what you can do."

Santiago concurred. "You just have to play your best."

The camp continues Saturday and concludes Sunday.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].