The Hawaii football team received commitments yesterday from:

» Tavita Woodward, a defensive end/linebacker from Eastern Arizona,

» Kendrick Van Ackeren, a safety from Bellevue High who was named the Seattle Times’ 3A Washington state defensive player of the year,

» Chinedu Amadi, a slotback from Chino (Calif.) High who goes by his middle name, Promise, and

» Justin Vele, an all-state linebacker from Farrington High. Vele told the coaches he made a "soft commitment," and will solidify it Feb. 2, the first day recruits can sign national letters of intent.

Van Ackeren’s commitment came a week after his visit. The other three players’ commitments came at the completion of their UH recruiting trips.

"I wanted to come back home, basically, and be with the family," said Woodward, who attended Kahuku High as a freshman before transferring to McKinley High.

Woodward said he is 6 feet 4 and 255 pounds. He said he is capable of running 40 yards in 4.64 seconds and bench pressing 335 pounds. He can bench 225 pounds 25 times.

Woodward said he is turning down scholarship offers from Nebraska, Kansas State, Iowa State, Nevada, Central Florida and Bowling Green.

But he said the lure of the islands was irresistible.

"I’m happy to come back home after two years away," Woodward said.

He redshirted as a freshman at Eastern Arizona, and had 7 1/2 sacks in 2010.

He has three years to play three UH seasons.

"I’ll be there in May," said Woodward, who is on track to earn his associate’s degree at the end of this semester.

Van Ackeren said that after a week of pondering, "I decided to make my decision. I’m going to Hawaii."

Van Ackeren said he had offers from UCLA and Idaho.

Van Ackeren said he is 6-1 and 205 pounds. He can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds, and bench press 270 pounds. He is projected to compete at weak-side linebacker at UH.

"I felt like Hawaii is the right place to be," Van Ackeren said. "The coaches were great. The players were awesome. I like the school and everything about it."

Amadi will report in July for the bridge session, which will allow him to take two classes and work out with UH teammates leading to the start of training camp.

Amadi said he is 5-10, 185 pounds and can run 40 yards in 4.55 seconds.

He initially made an oral commitment to New Mexico State, but changed his mind during the weekend.

"Coach Mack made a good impression on me," Amadi said of UH head coach Greg McMackin. "I’d love to play for him and Coach Rolo (offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich)."

Amadi is a senior at Chino High, which is former UH slotback Greg Salas’ alma mater. Amadi said he will compete at slotback for the Warriors.

"I like the system a lot," Amadi said. "And I like the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of some great Hawaii players."

Vele, who is 6-1 and 230 pounds, was named the OIA East’s defensive player of the year. He has received scholarship offers from Washington, Colorado and San Diego State.

Of his recruiting trip, Vele said, "I’m from here, so it was nice to experience the aloha spirit."

Vele said he "grew up with the Warriors," and that he is related to several former UH players. Among his relatives are Vince Manuwai of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Wayne Hunter of the New York Jets.

Vele said he hopes to pursue a career in journalism. He said he constantly writes.

He said he already has a topic for his next story. "The (recruiting) trip," he said.