Feb. 6, 2009
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Roby Toma became the 18th member of University of Notre Dame’s 2009 signing class Friday when he faxed in his signed letter of intent, Irish head football coach Charlie Weis announced.
A product of Punahou High School in Honolulu, Toma becomes the second Hawaiian to sign with Notre Dame this year joining his high school teammate Manti Te’o. Toma, a participant in the 2009 Under Armour All-America Game, is the second wide receiver the Irish signed this year.
“I’m very pleased we could add Roby to this year’s signing class,” Weis said. “When we saw that we would be able to add another player this year, we targeted Roby because we felt he would be a great complement to Shaq Evans in this class. Roby is a quick and shifty wide receiver that we expect to come in here and compete for playing time and will only make our team better.
“As the co-offensive player of the year this past season in Hawaii, it’s obvious he knows what to do with the ball in his hands. I’m thrilled we could add another Hawaiian to our roster and am happy to welcome Roby and his family to the Notre Dame family.”
Below is a brief bio on Toma:
Toma (TOE-muh), Roby (pronounced like `Robby’), WR, 5-10, 175, Laie, HI (Punahou) – Named 2008 Hawaii Co-Offensive Player of the Year by Honolulu Advertiser … also named first-team all-state by Advertiser … participated in Hawaii vs. Mainland All-Star Game … selected to play in 2009 Under Armour All-American All-Star Game … won best hands contest at Under Armour game … earned all-conference honors as junior and senior … led state as senior with 1,393 receiving yards and 15 receiving touchdowns … also returned kickoffs and played defensive back in certain situations … finished season with 19 total TDs … along with current Notre Dame signee Manti Te’o, helped lead their high school to 12-1 record and first state championship … totaled 211 all-purpose yards in championship game, including seven receptions for 147 yards and a TD as the Buffanblu defeated Leilehua 38-7… named first-team all-state by Honolulu Star-Bulletin as junior after posting 35 receptions for 836 receiving yards with 13 TDs … totaled 992 all-purpose yards as junior … selected first-team all-conference in 2007 and 2008 … ranked eighth-best player in Hawaii by Rivals.com … named one of top 150 players in Superprep’s Far West (California, Hawaii, Nevada) rankings … played for head coach Kale Ane at Punahou School … born Feb. 23, 1991 … full name is Robert Joseph Toma … son of Tammy and Kenneth Toma.