Miami DC Lance Guidry expected to visit one of Hawaii’s top prospects Monday
With Miami Hurricanes coaches set to hit the road in the coming days with the evaluation period upon us, several Canes staffers will be across the country, including Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, who is expected to be in the Aloha State to take an up-close look at Waipahu (Hi.) Kahuku three-star safety Aiden Manutai on Monday.
“Coach Lance is going to come down from Miami all the way to Hawaii, and that says a lot,” Manutai told CaneSport. “I’m very grateful to see him come down and see me. That’s an 11-hour flight, and that’s a crazy flight. That means something.”
Earlier this spring, the 6-foot, 170-pound prospect visited the Hurricanes along with his 7-on-7 team and earned an offer from Miami a few weeks later. Since then, Hurricanes staff members Joe Salave’a and Guidry have kept in contact with Manutai, who is the No. 4 ranked prospect from Hawaii in the 2025 class according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
“It was great getting to Miami,” Manutai said. “I know a couple of guys in Miami and my guy Elija Lofton, so it was pretty cool to see him. We were in the indoor facility, and it was beautiful.”
Manutai added that seeing the Miami true freshman tight end shine early in a Hurricanes uniform was something that caught his eye.
“I’m a firm believer in myself, so I think wherever I go I can compete early as well,” Manutai said. “It’s cool to see him balling out and transferring his skills to college football.”
Along with seeing Miami this spring, Manutai also made his way to Texas, Houston, TCU, California, Nevada, and USC. This summer the Hawaii native has official visits lined up with Penn State (weekend of May 31), Tennessee (weekend of June 7), Nebraska (weekend of June 14) and Washington (weekend of June 21).
When looking into a program, a strong connection with not only the coaching staff but also the players in the locker room is key to Manutai.
“I look for a genuine vibe, and I want honesty with the coaches,” Manutai said. “Also, team chemistry and how guys gel together. You can tell how they speak to each other, how they introduce one another, and how they feel about each other. That’s what I really look at, as well as the environment around a school. I want to be where I’m wanted.”
CaneSport’s take
With Guidry set to make the near-5,000-mile trek to Hawaii, it is safe to say the Hurricanes have a legitimate interest in Manutai, who has over a dozen offers from several Power Four programs. While the Hurricanes have not yet secured an official visit from Manutai I would not count them out just yet, but I do believe they have some room to make up for the talented defensive back.
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