Going full circle in its recruiting search, the Hawaii football team has found a top prospect on its own roster.

Siasau "Saui" Matagiese, a backup defensive tackle and key special-teams player, has been told he will be awarded a football scholarship in 2012.

What’s more, Matagiese, who is in his second year at UH, will count as an initial signee for the Warriors’ 2012 recruiting class. UH is allowed to offer up to 25 initial scholarships each year.

"Where can I go to get a better (recruit) than Saui?" UH coach Greg McMackin said.

When told of the scholarship offer, Matagiese said: "It’s a big relief. I was speechless. It’s going to help my family financial-wise."

Matagiese said he paid for school and living expenses through financial aid, loans and income earned from security jobs.

Matagiese, a 2009 Waimea High graduate, was receiving a football scholarship as a freshman defensive end at Portland State. But in November of the 2009 season, Jerry Glanville was fired as the Vikings’ head coach.

"It was messed up," Matagiese said. "I came back home."

After several attempts to secure a release from his Portland State scholarship, Matagiese earned approval to contact the UH coaches.

Now 280 pounds, Matagiese is in the rotation at defensive tackle. He also is on four special-teams units, including punt coverage. In last week’s game against Louisiana Tech, Matagiese flattened punt returner Andrew Guillot.

"He’s (280) pounds, runs like a deer, has a great attitude and gets good grades," McMackin said. "I didn’t know a lot about him (a year ago) because he went to Portland State, but we like the heck out of him."

Matagiese acknowledges that plus-sized players are not usually used on coverage units. But UH sought volunteers in the spring, and he aced the auditions.

"He’s made himself going through our program, and maybe the year he was at Portland State, and he has become a very good Division I player," McMackin said. "Why go look for another player when you have a good one right here?"