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Rush plans to
attend UCLA

Dylan Rush is on his way to Hollywood, or so he hopes.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Konawaena junior committed to UCLA, he said in a phone call yesterday. The Bruins were the first school to make the multi-sport standout a scholarship offer.

"I feel great. I feel excited. Ever since I was in seventh grade, I told my dad I was gonna play Division I football. I've worked four, five years real hard for this day," said Rush, an All-Big Island Interscholastic Federation tight end and defensive end. He is also a two-time state wrestling champion at 215 and 275 pounds.

Though his senior season is months away, Rush aimed to make a commitment early on. He narrowed a list of interested schools down to four: Stanford, Air Force, Harvard and UCLA.

"Duke, this morning, I got an e-mail from them asking for an address so they could send me an offer," he said.

Rush chose UCLA over Stanford because the Bruins will give him a shot at tight end. Stanford wanted him at defensive end.

There were 29 Division I schools waiting for him to come to the Stanford Nike Combine. They'll likely try to talk Rush out of his decision, but he intends to participate anyway.

"I want to spend some time with my grandpa up there and go to a baseball game. Have some fun," Rush said.

UCLA saw an early commit last year, Baldwin linebacker Kaluka Maiava, change his mind and defect to USC.

"They were nervous about me doing the same thing, but my brother (Jared) lives in the area. I'm real interested in studying cinematography and film making, and there's no better place in the world," Rush said. "On top of that, the fact that one of my teammates, David Anderson, is gonna play football at Golden West College. We'll be able to train together."

Rush works out year round and has the numbers to prove it:

"Since I was little, I wanted to play for UH or UCLA. I didn't get a lot of contact from (UH), so this is just as good. It would've been cool to stay close to home," he said. "I don't know what UH's feelings are, but I'm not considering anybody else now."

Rush said that Oregon State, Colorado and UCLA showed up on campus to watch Rush and teammate, all-BIIF wide receiver Cody Silsley.

"All came to my school to watch me practice," he said. "Arizona's coming today."