It was a difficult decision to make for Eselu but one that was made easier by the enthusiastic response from his future coach and teammates.
“Coach Tedford and the coaches were pumped,” said Eselu. “They knew I had a tough decision, but they said that all the boys there would be backing me up.
“Both programs were great, but Cal just has a lot more educational opportunities for me. My parents really were impressed with Cal’s academics, too. You can’t go wrong there.
“I’m crazy comfortable with the Island boys out there, too with Tyson (Alualu), Mika (Kane), Abu (Ma’Afala) and the others. Everybody there is really open; especially the Polynesian boys and I appreciate that.
Eselu’s team moved up to the larger school Red Division this year and struggled some, going 2-6 on the season. They had a new offensive coordinator in that changed the offense, as well with a single tight triple option.
Eselu had 14 catches and 2 tds on the season at tight end and also played defensive end for the first three games before an out-of-state transfer from Texas came in and allowed Eselu to focus on offense.
With the season over, Eselu is concentrating on preparing himself for his new program.
“I’ve been training real hard and trying to get bigger, stronger and faster,” said Eselu, who benches 350 and currently runs a 4.9 forty.
Eselu likely rounds out Cal’s tight end recruiting for the class as the 2nd tight end committed for the 2007 class.
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