A month after earning a University of Hawaii degree, running back Diocemy Saint Juste is immersed in his post-graduate studies.

His first test is Saturday’s NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

“It gives me a chance to showcase my abilities,” said Saint Juste, who set UH’s single-season records for rushing yards (1,510), rushing yards per game (125.8) and carries (282) in 2017.

Saint Juste trained for two weeks in Arizona before arriving in Los Angeles on Sunday. Agent Aaron Gordon said Saint Juste has met with representatives from 25 NFL teams. At the bowl’s weigh-in session, Saint Juste was measured at 5 feet 73⁄8 and 196 pounds, with a hand span of 91⁄4 inches, reach of 283⁄4 inches, and wing span of 691⁄2 inches.

The players were not tested in speed drills. Saint Juste was hand-timed at sub-4.4 seconds over 40 yards when he was a senior at Santaluces High (Boynton Beach, Fla.) in 2012. He said his goal is to run 4.4 at UH’s pro day in March.

Saint Juste has had a remarkable ascent since enrolling at UH in June 2013.

His first two seasons, he had 50 and 73 carries as a backup to Joey Iosefa. At Iosefa’s recommendation, Saint Juste signed with Gordon last month. Saint Juste received a medical redshirt in 2015 after suffering a hamstring injury during training camp.

The following spring, he focused on stretching, adequate hydration and improving his overall skills. “UH brought it out of me,” Saint Juste said of becoming an accomplished blocker. “When I first got there, I didn’t really know blocking or anything other than running the ball.”

Saint Juste rushed 165 times for 1,006 yards in 2016, accounting for 34.6 percent of the Rainbow Warriors’ carries and 43.9 percent of the rushing yards.

Last season, he accounted for 67.1 percent of the carries and 74.8 percent of the rushing yards. He also played the final three games despite a sprained ankle.

“Just to help out the team and do the best I can to help our team win … I still stuck it out there,” said Saint Juste, adding, “the ankle is perfectly fine now.”

Saint Juste proved to be trustworthy, losing only five fumbles in 629 career touches.

He said it is helpful that the Warriors played UCLA at the Rose Bowl in September. “Now I’m acquainted with the turf,” Saint Juste said of the Rose Bowl’s grass field. “I’m accustomed to playing on grass, especially coming from Florida.”

Saint Juste said he grew up following LaDainian Tomlinson, a Hall of Fame running back, because of “his determination and work ethic and the way he ran.”

Now Saint Juste is close to fulfilling his own football dreams.

“Just to have it around the corner, it feels really good,” Saint Juste said.