Hawaii 2017 DE Aliki Vimahi is a Fast Riser on College Recruiting Boards

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

When most people from the main island think of Hawaii high school football, St. Louis High School jumps out immediately – and for good reason. There has been a good reason to start thinking of other schools in America’s paradise and Kahuku High School is one of the reasons why.

Over the past two years the Red Raiders have been as good as any team in Hawaii and in 2015 proved to be the best in the state. In 2014, Kahuku ran their record to 10-3 but last year they swept the season running a perfect 14-0 with a 39-14 state title win over St. Louis. One of the standouts on the Red Raiders championship team was Class of 2017 defensive end Aliki Vimahi.

Vimahi has been cutting his teeth at the varsity level since his freshman season. The now 6’4”, 250 pound, beast is truly coming into his own dominating the line with raw power and great speed and quickness for a player his size. All of that hard work culminated in first team All-Conference and second team All-State honors during his junior season leading to six offers being placed before him. The teams seeking his abilities at the collegiate level includes BYU, Colorado, Oregon State, Hawaii, UNLV, and Washington State.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Vimahi in a one-on-one session covering his play on the field, offseason workouts, and recruiting.

Interview

Aliki, how long have you been at the varsity level?

“Since my freshman year I’ve started.”

Wow. You have a lot of on the field experience helping sharpen your skills. What are some of the things you do well as a defensive end?

“The physicality of being at the varsity level at all four years has molded me to where I am today. I learned a lot from the older guys this last year.”

Whether you are stopping the run or rushing the passer, from a technique standpoint, what are you good at from the snap of the ball?

“As a defensive end I am good at being able to get off the ball and play both the C and B gap. I have really worked on that this year, being able to get off the ball and play both gaps stopping the run. From a defensive end’s point of view, you would think that all you do is rush off the ball but you have to stop the run. I’m good at stopping the run. My transitioning from pass rush to stopping the run is quick.”

You’ve also played some defensive tackle as needed. What are some of the things you do well as a defensive tackle?

“Being able to get off the ball with quickness. Moving from defensive end to defensive tackle I am able to use my quickness inside the trenches more and I’m able to use my hands a little more rather than at defensive end. Defensive end is more speed and get off. I’ve shown what I’ve got as a defensive tackle.”

Which position do you think you are best at, defensive end or tackle?

“For me, it’s defensive end. Even though I like to get it going in the trenches it has always been defensive end. I like using my speed and power on the outside. I like the way defensive ends play like that.”

Do you know what your stats were from last season?

“No. We did not count them or keep track of them.”

What are your goals for the 2016 football season?

“My offseason goal is to make it to the Nike Opening Finals. Another thing is working on my explosiveness and speed. I’m also opening up my variety of moves.”

Have you maxed out in any of the football lifts this offseason?

“I have not maxed out recently. I’m just trying to work and build up.”

Do you have a stat line goal set for yourself for the 2016 season?

“Honestly, not really. My goal at the end of the day is to be there with all of my teammates and win as a team. That is what I am all about.”

Will we see you on offense next season?

“That is all up to my head coach. If we are in dire need of a first down or someone is hurt, it is up to my coach to pull me over at fullback or tight end if they need me, or if my dad (David) pulls me over.”

How do you like the team’s repeat chances in 2016? Do you think you guys will repeat?

“I think so. We don’t have the same type of guys like last year on defense. We lost a substantial amount of guys but we have a fresh group of guys coming in. We have a lot of young talent that we can mold into a similar kind of team like last year. I think we can do it this year.”

You have six offers extended. Of the six teams is one maybe pushing a little bit harder than the rest trying to land your verbal commitment?

“UH – Hawaii. They are recruiting me the hardest.”

Are there any schools recruiting you hard but have not offered you yet?

“Schools that have been in contact with me are UCLA, Oregon, and Utah.”

Do you have any college camps lined up for this summer?

“I’m planning on going to Cal, UCLA, USC, and I think Stanford’s camp. I’m going to a San Jose State camp too.”

I know it is harder for recruits coming from Hawaii, but have you taken any unofficial visits yet?

“I have taken one this past year, I went to USC. I was there for a lineman camp and I took an official visit to the campus. I went to Hawaii’s Junior Day too.”

You have some great offers on the table and it looks like more to come. Have you set a timeline for yourself on when you would like to commit?

“My idea is to do it after my visits, after the football season. After all my visits I’ll commit.”

When you make that decision what will influence you the most before you commit?

“Academics. That is what I look for first. I’ll look at what they have to offer and the hospitality. What kind of an atmosphere do the coaches have with the team? The campus is another thing. Being able to make friends and being able to build relationships with all my teammates is important to me.”

Do you play any other sports for Kahuku?

“I used to but now I’m all about football. Football is the sport I am most comfortable with and the sport I want to use to get a better education. I was playing basketball, soccer, and track and field.”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“I have a 3.2 GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I have taken the ACT but I’m still waiting on my score. I plan on taking it again regardless.”

Do you know what you want to major in once in college?

“Criminology. If not criminology then sports science.”

What TV shows prompted you to want to major in criminology?

(Laughs) “CSI and Law and Order. I grew up on that.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“That would have to be between physiology and culinary.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part about playing football is playing for not only the school but for the whole community and the people. Playing for your last name and your parents. Playing for your teammate working beside you. Being able to play with my teammates – my brothers every Friday night. Building that relationship with them on and off the field.”

Aliki, thanks for your time today and good luck with your ACT scores.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: berecruited.com; No. 91 Aliki Vimahi.

Photo credit: hawaiiprepworld.com; No. 91 Aliki Vimahi forces a fumble.