Saint Juste invited to all-star game

Former University of Hawaii running back Diocemy Saint Juste played fast, played hard and now will play another football game.

Saint Juste accepted an invitation to compete in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, an all-star game for pro prospects. The game will be played Jan. 20 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. FS1 will televise the game.

“We’re excited for D,” said UH offensive coordinator Brian Smith, who coached the Rainbow Warrior running backs the past season. “It’s something that’s well deserved for the type of career he’s had here.”

Saint Juste finished second in UH career rushing with 3,102 yards. He set the school’s single-season record with 1,510 rushing yards in 2017. He is ranked 10th nationally in rushing yards and eighth with 125.8 rushing yards per game. NCAA statistics are calculated through the national championship game.

“I think he has all the intangibles to be a great running back and an every-down running back,” Smith said of Saint Juste’s pro future. “The thing he’s really grown at, I thought, was his ability to really take care of himself, become a lot more durable, and become a more mentally tougher and physical player.”

Saint Juste received a medical redshirt for the 2015 season because of hamstring issues. But he played in 24 of 26 games the past two seasons, including all 12 this year. Saint Juste suffered an ankle injury in the latter part of this past season but “didn’t miss any games because of it,” Smith said. “He did a great job of rehab and just taking care of it and being smart about how to handle his reps.”

Saint Juste, who is 5 feet 9 and 190 pounds, proved to be tough in short-yardage situations and durable (39 carries against San Jose State). Saint Juste accounted for 84.6 percent of the UH running backs’ carries this season.

“We really counted on him to be a large part of what we did offensively,” Smith said. “He was a tough kid to take out of games.”