Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou defensive end Luke Kaumatule has had an up-and-down type of week. The 6-foot-8, 270 pound defensive lineman tore his right ACL last Friday.
After the injury, Kaumatule decided to evaluate things regarding his collegiate future.
"I didn't know how some of the coaches would react to my injury," Kaumatule said. "Football is no guarantee and I wanted to give myself the best chance at a great education. Stanford is one of the top academic colleges in the country. I called the coaches and let them know about my injury and let them know I was ready to commit."
The Cardinal coaches accepted the verbal commitment despite the injury.
"The coaches are real excited to have me," he said. "They are supportive through my injury and working hard to make sure I'm admitted academically. I'm only going to take one official to Stanford, I'm all locked up."
His father SoaKai Kaumatule offered a few comments on the hectic week.
"Education was the most important part of this decision," Soakai Kaumatule said. "We visited up there for their junior day in the spring and we all just loved the atmosphere. I'm really proud of my son and his pursuit of high academics, as a father you can't ask for more than that."
The goal right now is for Kaumatule to be rehabilitated in time to play in the US Army All-American game in early January. He's also added some weight since this summer and hopes to enter college weighing 280 pounds.
Kaumatule is a four-star recruit and the No. 187 ranked player in the nation.
- Justin Hopkins
- Recruiting Insider - 247Sports