During his Hawaii football career, Blaze Soares was a fierce linebacker.

But yesterday, his legs were wet ramen.

"This is a touching moment," said Soares, who earned a bachelor’s degree and participated in UH’s graduation ceremony. "I never could see myself graduating and walking the line. This is the best accomplishment in my life. I’m very happy. I’m stoked."

Soares is the first member of his family to earn a college degree.

"I’m very proud of him," said his grandmother, Loretta Szubinski. "From starting so low to working his way up, he’s really worked hard. He’s such a cheerful kid, always happy. He’s very respectful to his family."

Soares completed his UH career after the 2009 season. He is working in the music industry, associated with Phat Sounds Productions and D Boy Productions.

"Everything is going good," Soares said.

His UH career did not begin smoothly. Because he did not earn enough credits in core classes at Castle High, he attended Hawaii Pacific University as a freshman. He then transferred to UH in the summer of 2006.

"It was frustrating," he said. "I had a lot of other options (out of high school), but Hawaii is where I wanted to play. No other school mattered."

Soares said he keeps all of his football awards "in a box in my closet."

His diploma will be framed and placed on a wall. "I’m very proud of this," Soares said.

Another former Warrior, linebacker Adam Leonard, was a four-year starter who never redshirted. In 2009, he was injured while trying out with the Seattle Seahawks.

"I was sitting at home (in Seattle) trying to figure out what I wanted to do," said Leonard, who called UH head coach Greg McMackin. "I asked Coach Mack about the possibility of coming back to school."

McMackin arranged for Leonard to work as a student manager, a position that would pay for tuition and school expenses.

"He wasn’t obligated to help me finish up," Leonard said. "But he opened it up for me."

Leonard said he bought a one-way ticket from Seattle to Honolulu.

"I was determined," said Leonard, who now plays for the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League.

Leonard completed work on his bachelor’s degree in August. But because UH no longer has a summer graduation ceremony, Leonard said, "I wanted to come back, get some pictures and make it official."

Slotbacks Dustin Blount and Ryan Henry and wideout Mike Tinoco are members of McMackin’s first UH recruiting class, in 2008. They earned their degrees yesterday.

"I’ll finally be going out into the world," Blount said of life after Friday’s Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

For Henry, walking the walk was not that easy. Last month, he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn ACL. "I’m doing better," Henry said.

Right guard Adrian Thomas, who was raised in Australia, said he never imagined "going to school in the United States. It’s been a great experience."

Left guard Brysen "Bula" Ginlack redshirted as a senior in 2009 to focus on his studies. He regained his starting job this season.

"It was hard (not to play in 2009), but it was good in the long run," Ginlack said.

Wideout Jett Jasper, who earned a degree in speech, is now pursuing a master’s degree. He has one more season of eligibility remaining.

"It was a hard road, with a lot of tests, but it was worth it," Jasper said.

For slotback Greg Salas, it has been a hectic week. He was excused from two practices to finish school projects.

"I was in Sinclair Library every day until 2 in the morning," Salas said. "I’m a real procrastinator. I do what it takes to get it done. Getting a degree is a culmination of a great experience here. Now I’m definitely ready for our bowl game."