Corey Paredes

Stephen Tsai writes a really great and touching story about Corey Paredes, who will be joining the UH football team this fall.

Corey Paredes fulfilled two dreams yesterday when he accepted an offer to join the University of Hawai'i football team.

"I'm doing it partially for him," Paredes said of Patrick Kapahu, who died Oct. 5 from injuries suffered in a skateboard accident.

Paredes and Kapahu were best friends since the first grade at 'Ahuimanu Elementary, and eventual Castle High teammates in football and baseball.

"He really loved the Warriors," said Paredes, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound linebacker. "He really wanted to play for them. I'm happy I can do this for both of us."

Paredes completed a UH recruiting visit Sunday. His parents attended many of the UH-hosted functions, such as the tour of the academic and athletic facilities.

"We had an awesome weekend," Abby Paredes said. "It was unbelievable. To get the call today (from UH coaches) was really exciting. We're totally ecstatic he's going to UH."

A great, great article.

The Advertiser will also be publishing diaries of the former Warriors who are getting ready for the NFL Combine later this month. Today's diary is by Dane Uperesa.

Melila Purcell, Nate Ilaoa, Samson Satele and I are in Stafford, 20 miles outside of Houston, where we're training for the NFL combine.

It's not bad. They have a Wal-Mart, which we make a trip to every night. There are a lot of restaurants. We've been to Jack in the Box the most. Fuddruckers is the best. It's a burger place. They serve a one-pound burger. We train extra hard so we can make room for it. Because Mel has to gain weight and Nate has to lose, Nate eats half a burger and gives the rest to Mel. It all works out.