One of the biggest — in every sense of the word — catches for Ute coach Ron McBride in the 2001 recruiting class was nose guard Ma'ake Kemoeatu's younger brother Chris, the 2000 Hawaii prep defensive player of the year who chose Utah over Washington and Nebraska.
In the Ute media guide, football coach Ron McBride is quoted as saying good defensive linemen are the hardest to get, and getting Kemoeatu "was just huge for us."
Except now the Kahuku (Hawaii) High star is playing offense for the Utes, switched in the last week to guard.
"It didn't matter," said the 6-foot-4, 315-pound freshman who played offensive tackle in high school. "I wanted to play defense," he said, adding, "I wasn't really surprised. I kind of had a feeling they needed help on offense."
That's because starting senior left guard Ed Ta'amu has been suspended for the first three games because of a July 4 incident during which he allegedly punched a neighbor who was shooting fireworks at him and a group of friends. Both men were charged, and legal proceedings are pending.
Also, veteran senior right guard Sam White will not play this year and may be done with football after four knee surgeries since 1999, including one on April 12.
McBride says Chris Kemoeatu's long-term future would be on the offensive line anyway because of his size, good feet and reasonable speed. He likens his play to Ta'amu's and wishes he'd changed Ta'amu to offensive line sooner than last year.
"Technically, I'm better on offense," Kemoeatu admits, "but I can be more wild on defense. It's because you play like you want to play on defense."
On offense, it's more structured, and if Kemoeatu is to move quickly into the two-deep, he's also got to quickly get used to playing guard rather than tackle and on the left side instead of the right. "It's pretty difficult to get into the left stance. I'm a right-hander, and it's like writing with your left hand."
The younger Kaufusi also must adjust to Mountain time and get used to getting up early for these three-a-day workouts. "I don't want to, but I have to," he said, laughing.
In a situation somewhat like that of the Dyson brothers over the last couple years, there are now three Kemoeatus at Utah.
Like Patrick Dyson, Tevita Kemoeatu (6-2, 280, defensive lineman) came to the U. with Chris as a walk-on this fall. Like Patrick Dyson, whose older brother Kevin and younger brother Andre are both now members of the NFL's Tennessee Titans, Tevita Kemoeatu only played a little high-school ball — as a senior. He lived apart from the rest of his siblings for a time, caring for grandparents in Tonga while the rest of the family was in Hawaii.
With Ma'ake already at Utah, Chris says he worked hard helping his father, a reverend who made extra money doing yard work during those years with Ma'ake and Tevita gone. "It was just me and my pops," he said.
Being reunited in Utah with his brothers helps. "It really does," Chris says, "but it wouldn't matter because McBride is here."
McBride's affinity for Pacific Islanders, and the number of them playing for Utah, are reasons Chris chose to become a Ute rather than a Huskie or 'Husker.
NOTES: Right guards Sean Souza and Tevita Vakalahi practiced well Saturday, said McBride . . . Freshman Sione Pouha was traded from offense to the defensive line, and corner Quincy Watkins moved to receiver . . . Offensive tackle Phil Blackmon has shed weight and is more flexible than in his freshman year and played well Saturday . . . All the running backs caught McBride's attention. "They hit the holes, and they're competing," he said . . . Junior college transfer Devin Houston, a wide receiver, made good catches and "adds another speed component," McBride said . . . Receivers Cliff Russell and Paris Jackson each banged a knee and left practice with what were thought to be bruises. Russell also has a very mild knee sprain . . . Corner D'Shaun Crockett sat out Saturday with a thumb dislocation.
E-mail: lham@desnews.com