Saint Louis’ Hanohano
commits to play for UtahThe Crusaders wide receiver
joins Iolani RB Stowers in giving
an oral commitment to the Utes
Saint Louis wide receiver Desmond Hanohano became the fourth Hawaii high school football recruit to orally commit to a top Division I school in the past four days.
The 6-foot-6, 220 pound Hanohano decided to accept a scholarship from Utah after visiting the Salt Lake City campus last weekend.
"In meeting with all the coaches and looking at the situation, it was clear that they're (the Utes) losing a couple of key guys at skill positions -- receiver and tight end," Hanohano said. "The coaches are looking for me to fill one of those positions."
Crusaders coach Darnell Arceneaux thinks Hanohano will play tight end for Utah.
"I think they'll put him in motion and look for a mismatch against a linebacker," said Arceneaux, who starred at quarterback for the Utes in the late 1990s. "I think Desmond will eventually play on Sundays (in the NFL), and he'll figure that out, too, once he understands what he's got."
Hanohano will join Iolani running back Raynold Stowers at Utah. Stowers decided on Utah on Monday.
Two other local recruits chose Colorado -- defensive end Tavita Thompson (who will be moved to the offensive line) of Saint Louis on Sunday and defensive end David Veikune of Campbell on Monday.
"You couldn't ask for a better kid," Arceneaux said about Hanohano. "He's a big team guy. He never demanded the football, he ran the right routes and he always blocked downfield. He has the best hands I've seen in a long time and he really turned it on this year once he started to believe in himself."
In six Interscholastic League of Honolulu games, Hanohano caught 22 passes for 429 yards and eight touchdowns. In a state quarterfinal against Mililani, he set three state records, including most receiving yards in a game with 307.
Hanohano went on a snowmobiling excursion with other Utah recruits last weekend.
"It was my first time in snow and I was pretty thankful when I got warm afterwards. Most definitely, you learn to appreciate Hawaii more -- where you can walk outside with a T-shirt and shorts on. But I loved it (the snow)."
Aside from Thompson and Veikune, Colorado previously got an oral commitment from Waimea running back/linebacker Jordon Dizon.