Kahuku (Hawai) tight end Kekua Aumua has flipped his commitment from Florida to Washington and will sign with the Huskies.
Aumua told us Monday night he was going to hold off signing on Wednesday, wanting more time to mull over his decision. In addition to the Gators and Huskies, Aumua was seriously considering Auburn, where he just visited last weekend.
In the end, Aumua decided to stay out West and chose Washington over the two SEC programs.
“A big part of my decision was my relationship with coach (Jordan) Paopao, the tight end coach,” Aumua said. “We’ve been talking for a couple of years now and I’m very comfortable with him.
“He’s not just a good guy but a really good coach too. He has developed a lot of really good tight ends that have gone on to the NFL and that’s the goal for me as well.”
Aumua took his official visit to Washington in late October and there has been some strong buzz over the last month the Huskies were the team to beat.
Part of that was due to the fact Washington was the one constant of his favorites that had a head coach in place. We know his family was also very high on Washington throughout this cycle.
“My family loved it out there on my official visit,” Aumua said. “I visited UW a few other times but on my official trip, they were able to come out and see the place up close and they really enjoyed the trip.
“I like the school and the location and also the offense. They use the tight end there and Washington just felt like the best all around fit for me.”
Aumua, who’s nicknamed, ‘Rhino,’ is a massive tight end prospect who looks like like he could easily grow in to an offensive lineman but his heart has always been at tight end.
We’ve seen him at several events over the years including the Under Armour Combine in Hawaii and the Polynesian Bowl combine in Las Vegas and he shows natural hands, runs well enough and uses his body to create separation.
He’s a true in-line tight end, a strong blocker and should be able to play in any situations at the next level.