Utah prep Ursua glad to return to the 808

Proof of John Ursua’s college-football plans are found on his cell phone.

The area code is “808.”

“I verbally committed to Hawaii,” said Ursua, a quarterback at Cedar High in Utah. “It’s my home state. I’m originally from Kailua-Kona.”

Ursua received an offer from Utah, and interest from Brigham Young and Oregon.

“I’m comfortable with my decision,” Ursua said. “It’s a great coaching staff over there to help me become a better player. I want to play for Norm Chow.”

Ursua is 5 feet 10 and 180 pounds. He will get a shot at quarterback or inside receiver at UH.

“We’re going to wait and see,” Ursua said. “My goal is always to play slot receiver. Any way I can help the program, I’ll play either position.”

Cedar head coach Todd Peacock said: ”I’ve been a high school football coach for 25 years, and I’ve never seen an athlete like him. He’s got unbelievable athletic ability. He can jump, and he’s lightning fast. … He’s the best high-school athlete I’ve ever seen.”

Ursua was raised in Laie before moving to Hawaii island. He attended Kealakehe High as a freshman before moving to Utah in 2009.

Ursua was Westlake High’s starting quarterback as a sophomore and junior. Westlake ran a spread passing offense.

Ursua transferred to Cedar in January 2011.

“I went from the spread, no-huddle, throwing the ball 25 times a game, to coming to Cedar and running the triple option,” Ursua said. “It was a big adjustment.”

As a senior in 2011, Ursua threw for 1,005 yards and rushed for 1,539 yards and 16 touchdowns.

“We ran the option, and he had to pick it up in a hurry,” Peacock said. “If we won a game or two more, he would have been the MVP for the whole state.”

Ursua also is the starting point guard for Cedar’s basketball team.

“He’s a great passer, great ball-handler, and he shoots the ball well,” Peacock said. “He’s a great athlete. Hawaii is getting a good one.”

The Warriors have six quarterbacks on the current roster: David Graves, Cayman Shutter, Kevin Spain, Jeremy Higgins, Ikaika Woolsey, and Taylor Graham. Graham, who transferred from Ohio State, must redshirt in 2012.