More on Kaniela Tuipulotu

Ryan Finley of The Arizona Daily Star talks to Kaniela Tuipulotu about his decision to transfer to UH.

Kaniela Tuipulotu was successful in two seasons as an Arizona Wildcats football player, but he wasn't satisfied.
In fact, he was homesick.
"I missed just being able to look into the stands and see people I know personally, not just people that like me because I'm a football player," Tuipulotu said Monday. "I missed playing in front of people that I know, people I appreciate. My parents couldn't ever come out and see me play, and that (stunk)."

"I was comfortable," he said, "but I really never was healthy."
Tuipulotu batted shoulder problems in 2007 and "turf toe," a hyperextension of a joint in the big toe, in 2008. He underwent shoulder surgery this spring and is currently facing an undiagnosed elbow problem.
Tuipulotu is so hurt that he was planning to redshirt at the UA this fall just to get healthy. Instead, he'll join a Hawaii program that is two years removed from a Bowl Championship Series game.