HAWAII FOOTBALL
Running-back prospect accepts scholarship to UH
Leon Jackson, a highly sought-after prep standout, played at Nebraska last season
A top college prospect from the high school class of 2005 said yesterday he has agreed to accept a football scholarship at Hawaii.
Leon Jackson is a 6-foot-2, 220-pound athlete who has been timed (electronically) at 4.35 seconds in 40 meters. The Nebraska transfer plans to enroll at UH next fall. He is now taking classes at Columbia Basin Community College in Washington.
OREGON STATE AT HAWAII
When: Saturday, 7:05 p.m.
Where: Aloha Stadium
TV: ESPN
Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM
Tickets: $5-$38
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Jackson said Idaho also recruited him, but he chose UH because of its nation-leading offense and the possibility of playing right away. The Warriors' top two running backs, Nate Ilaoa and Reagan Mauia, complete their eligibility with the Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl.
Coach June Jones said Ilaoa, who has missed this week's practices with a bruised heel, will play Saturday, when No. 24 Hawaii (10-2) hosts Oregon State (8-4) and tries to win its 10th game in a row.
"He felt 100 percent better today and he said he'll be ready for Saturday," Jones said of Ilaoa, who leads the Warriors with 845 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.
Jackson, who has three years to play three seasons, said those numbers from the running-back position made Hawaii attractive to him.
"It's really exciting. Of course I'm not gonna come in there (acting like) it's all about me," Jackson said. "I want to be a Warrior and help them out however I can."
He will compete for playing time with a slew of returning running backs, including David Farmer, Jazen Anderson, Khevin Peoples and Jason Laumoli. Freshman Kealoha Pilares is also expected to get a look for 2007, and linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane might be moved to running back in the spring.
Jackson said he hasn't been to Hawaii yet (his recruiting visit is tentatively set for next week), but he's followed the Warriors and tracked their recent success.
Jackson played at Nebraska last year on kickoff coverage and was a backup safety. He
was the 2005 scout team MVP.
He left the Cornhuskers before this season started.
"It didn't work out at all. It just wasn't right for me," Jackson said of his experience at Nebraska.
Jackson was named first-team all-state in Washington by the Seattle Times and Associated Press after rushing for 1,745 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2004 at Pasco High School.
He was state champion in the 100 meters as a freshman and sophomore in Washington's biggest high school classification.
In addition to Nebraska, Jackson received offers from Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State and California.
Brennan a finalist:
Hawaii junior quarterback Colt Brennan was announced yesterday as one of five finalists for the Walter Camp Football Foundation 2006 Player of the Year award.
"This is another great honor," said Brennan, who is also among three finalists for the Davey O'Brien quarterback award. "I really appreciate the fact that I got recognized. It's great for the team and for me to get our names out there and receive the notoriety. As an offense, any individual recognition is a reflection of the success of the entire offense."
Brennan has passed for 4,589 yards and a nation-leading 51 touchdowns and rushed for 340 yards and four touchdowns. He also leads the nation in passing efficiency and completion percentage. UH is atop the national statistics in scoring, total offense and passing offense.
The other finalists are Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, West Virginia running back Steve Slaton and Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith.
The 2006 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, voted on by the 119 Division I-A head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced Dec. 7.
Drawing to a full house:
Around 1,300 tickets for Saturday's regular-season finale were remaining at the end of business yesterday, UH associate athletic director John McNamara said.
It is the final regular-season game for 19 Hawaii seniors, and they will be recognized afterward with the traditional "Senior Walk."
The game is being designated a "green-out," with all fans encouraged to wear green.
Also ti leaves will be distributed to the first 30,000 fans to enter the stadium.