Nau, Halahuni, Vave to join football team

Sioeli (See-Oh-el-EE) Nau (Now) has signed a national letter of intent to play football at Oregon State University, and Joe Halahuni (Howl-uh-who-nee) and Walker Vave (Vah-VAY) have been admitted for winter term, Beaver head coach Mike Riley announced Wednesday. Wednesday is the first day junior college transfers can sign a letter of intent.

Nau is a 6-2, 292-pound defensive tackle from Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. He helped Snow to an 11-1 mark in the recently completed 2006 season and to a 26-21 win over Coffeyville at the Top of the Mountains Bowl. Nau attended Spanish Fork High School in Spanish Fork, Utah.

Halahuni originally signed a letter of intent last February, but did not enroll at OSU for fall term. The tight end from Orting High School in Graham, Wash., will have five years to complete four seasons of playing eligibility. Halahuni was the Washington 2A Player of the Year and the Nisqually League’s Offensive MVP as a senior in 2005. He made 38 receptions for 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns his final season.

Vave of Laie, Hawai’i comes to Oregon State after a two-year LDS Mission. The linebacker played high school football at Kahuku High School on the North Shore of O’ahu and originally signed with OSU in February of 2004. Vave was the 2003 Honolulu Advertiser Defensive Player of the Year, while current OSU guard Jeremy Perry was the publication’s Offensive Player of the Year. He helped Kahuku win the state title with a 14-0 record and was part of a defense that allowed fewer than six points per game. Vave also has five years to play four.

Mid-year junior college transfers are eligible to sign letters of intent through Jan. 15. The regular letter of intent signing day for all Division I programs is Wed., Feb. 7.

Sioeli Nau profile

Joe Halahuni profile

Walker Vave profile