Marcus Kemp of Utah’s Layton High School can high jump 6 feet, 5 inches and vertical jump 36 inches.
His leap of faith is 2,990 miles.
Kemp said he made an oral commitment to play for the Hawaii football team in 2013. He made the pledge without having ever visited the 50th state.
"They called me, made me an offer and, after I thought about it, I accepted," said Kemp, a wide receiver.
Kemp, who said he is 6 feet 4, 180 pounds, and capable of running 40 yards in sub-4.6 seconds, said he also received scholarship offers from Utah State, Weber State and Southern Utah.
He also is a shooting guard in basketball and a high-jumper on Layton’s track and field team.
Kemp said he first dunked a basketball when he was in the ninth grade.
"That was very exciting," Kemp said.
He said he has tried to style his football skills after Terrell Owens.
"He’s my idol," Kemp said. "I like the way he plays and his attitude."
Kemp also said he is impressed with the UH coaching staff — assistant Lewis Powell has been the point recruiter in Utah — and head coach Norm Chow.
"I like their style," Kemp said. "I can’t wait to play for them."
It has been a busy bye week for the Warriors.
They are among the contenders for tight end Josh Long of Riverside Community College, who was among the top high school prospects before suffering a leg injury as a senior.
They also received a soft commitment from Kaiser High’s Fitou Fisiiahi, a junior who won’t be able to sign a letter of intent until Feb. 5, 2014.
He said he told the UH coaches he will accept their scholarship offer, although he conceded he would be open to fielding "other options." Oregon State and Utah have shown interest.
Still, it is a significant step for the Warriors in their pursuit of one of the state’s top juniors. Fisiiahi, who is 6-2 and 240 pounds, can play linebacker, defensive end, defensive tackle, receiver and running back.
Kaiser coach Rich Miano likened Fisiiahi to UH running back Joey Iosefa if Iosefa, at his current weight and skill level, were playing high school football now.
Fisiiahi said Iosefa is his "idol." In the past two games, Fisiiahi has 10 sacks.
UH special teams coordinator Chris Demarest is recruiting in Florida and assistant coach Keith Uperesa leaves today to recruit in American Samoa.
