Lancer Tuitele (right) and brother Burton Iosefa (left) were the primary ball carriers in the Mounties' offense last season. - James Choy
Tuitele had written a waiver letter to the NCAA requesting a late entry to the HU Warriors football team, but was denied due to his time alloted to play for a Division I school.
“Since my D-1 clock is up, I was speaking to some D-2 schools about playing for them, but it was too late to apply there as well. So for the time being I will train here in Hawaii and get ready for ‘Pro Day,’” he said.
Tuitele said that a number of professionals and former professionals from the NFL were impressed with his skills and felt Tuitele has a good chance to play in the NFL.
“Mt. SAC has been a huge stepping stone for me,” Tuitele said. “Hawaii would’ve been real nice but the NFL is better.”
Tuitele was part of the 2009 Mt. SAC football team, who won the state and national championship, beating San Mateo by a score of 7-6.
It was the Mounties’ second title, their last won back in 1997.
After graduating from the junior college, Tuitele had been looking to play for a Division I school, but after a long search, Hawaii was the one destination where Tuitele really wanted to be.
“Actually I wanted to go to Hawaii all along,” he said. “During the season, I had my sights set on going there.”
But with the problems that came in getting Tuitele on board, he was optimistic regardless.
“The Hawaii coaching staff did their best to get me on board,” Tuitele said.
“They were expecting big things from me, but no worries, I’ll make it happen at the next level,” he said.
During his training, Tuitele plans to take several classes at Hawaii and later hire an agent during his preparations for the NFL.
His younger brother Burton Iosefa currently is in San Jose and may proceed to enroll in Hawaii come January.
“I’m not sure what his plans are but we’re both going to move forward no matter what,” Lancer said.
James Choy
Staff Writer
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