This call came out of nowhere, almost.
When Blaine Hipa picked up his phone on Wednesday, he knew it might be a truly long-distance connection. What he didn’t expect was to have a scholarship offer from Tennessee.
“Amazing. It’s crazy. It kind of motivates me to want to do more,” said Hipa, a sophomore quarterback who helped Campbell reach the Open Division state tournament last season. “It was a big surprise. I heard from Coach (Nanumi) Lolohea by phone two or three weeks ago. They watched my film and they’d seen Titus (Mokiao-Atimalala). They were wondering who his quarterback is.”
There was no indication that the Volunteers would be the first college team to offer Hipa a scholarship. Playing in the SEC is a mind-blowing thought.
“It’s just crazy. It’s an opportunity to play at the next level,” Hipa said.
The southpaw passed for 2,582 yards and 31 touchdowns as a full-time starter. In 12 games, he completed 57 percent of his attempts and also threw 18 interceptions in the rugged Open.
Hipa has a 3.7 grade-point average and doesn’t play other sports.
“I’m focused on football and grades,” said Hipa, who plans to take the SAT in the fall. “My mom and dad were home when I got the call. My dad hugged me first. My mom was super excited.”
The COVID-19 crisis has players cooped up, for the most part. Hipa works out with a personal coach, Kelii Tilton, but most of his calories are burnt at home.
“I lift and run every day. I run around the block and I have some weights at home. I bench press two, three times a week, high reps. I’m just training by myself,” Hipa said. “I just block everything else out and think about what I’ve got to do.”
He is not expecting any more surprises in the near future.
“Tennessee is the only school that’s called me,” Hipa said. “They run a four-wide offense. I haven’t looked at it yet, but I will soon.”
Campbell (6-6) finished third in OIA Open and reached the semifinal round of the state tourney, losing to Kahuku 21-19.
Way to go young man. Keep on striving. Go sabers. C/O 87.
This kid is a baller! His time was on it’s way. He has the total package. Mindset and skillset. Been watching this kid play from the Windward Tiger days. Plus he comes from a stable of D1 QBs with Coach Kelii Tilton. One of the best in the business! Building the real deal QB. You want your kid to learn from the best, find Coach Tilton. Proof is in the pudding!
EastsidazBusiness – with you on that with Coach Tilton best in the business!!!! My son has been blessed To have recently joined his QB stable, and loves his group sessions training with the likes of Blaine Hipa, And John Sagapolotele just to name a few. My son is no D1 prospect, but training with Coach Tilton, and kids like Blaine has fueled his fire. Congrats to Blaine Hipa for getting this big time offer, it won’t be the last! And congrats to Coach Tilton for producing these QB’s – the proof is definitely in the pudding.
Awesome for these Hawaii kids to get these offers. That’s how good our QB’s here in Hawaii are getting, and training has definitely evolved with Coaches like Keli’i Tilton. We see our QB Jayden Maiava has made the jump over to Coach Kelii’s stable as well, skies the limits for Jayden and the bulldogs, just make sure you stay here at kaimuki😂😂. Congratulations Blaine, and to the Saber Nation much respect!!
KennyBoy isn’t Maiava supposed to be going to Bishop Gorman next season???
Him and Titus should go there. Congrats young gun!!
Roy22 – I’m assuming that was a rumor. I heard the same thing but I know he’s now staying here to play for Kaimuki. We gonna get that Ship next season🤙🤙