Makainai seeing interest pick up

During the spring evaluation period, offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh made a trip to the Hawaiian Islands to scout out the state's top schools for talent. Chauncy Makainai is one talent that received a visit from Coach Cavanaugh. The big 6-foot-4, 315-pound offensive guard from Kailua High School is hearing from a multitude of schools and is focused on having a big summer and senior season to increase the number of options for himself come the fall.

"Right now, I'm doing some summer training getting ready for a couple of camps," Makainai said. "I've been doing a lot of jump-roping, working on my footwork and getting quicker."

During the last part of the school year, a whole multitude of college coaches came by Kailua High to visit with Makainai and have kept in touch with him since.

"Hawaii, Oregon, Michigan State, Colorado, San Diego State, Utah - I've been talking to all of them," Makainai said. "No offers yet, but some schools sound like they are close to offering me."

Currently, Makainai notes his favorites are Colorado, Oregon, Hawaii, and Michigan State as they are the four schools that have showed him the most interest thus far. While staying at home to play for the Rainbow Warriors definitely holds some intrigue, he's staying open in the recruiting process and that could give a school like Oregon State a chance to get even more into the mix.

"I've talked to Coach Cavanaugh - he came to my school and it went pretty good," Makainai said. "I like how he tells you things straight. There are people who say something different (from what they mean), but he tells it straight and told me straight about what I need to work on."

Makainai noted that if Oregon State were to get more involved in his recruitment, he'd certainly listen. In the meantime, he's looking at a number of different things when it comes to the right program and school.

"I like good coaches and education is important to me too," Makainai said. "I'll take all my visits before I decide."

With no plans to leave the Islands this summer, look for Makainai to play out his senior season before making any decisions in his recruitment. Stay tuned to BeaverBlitz.com for the latest.