Hawaii’s football training camp opens in two weeks, but a prized recruit — cornerback Mike Edwards — already is in town, on his own dime.

Many dimes.

Because he is not enrolled in a UH summer session, Edwards cannot receive scholarship money until the opening of camp. In the meantime, Edwards, who arrived Sunday night, is paying for his own living expenses.

"It was a sacrifice I wanted to make for the team," Edwards said. "I wanted to get out here and get an early start."

Edwards is taking an online class necessary to complete his transfer to UH. He has met the requirements for a passing grade, which will be recorded at the end of the month, and been accepted to UH.

"I could have stayed home (in Ohio), and trained with the guys I’ve been working with," Edwards said. "We got in some great work. But I wanted to get in early. I wanted to meet the other players. I didn’t want to be the new face to everybody in camp."

Two years ago, Edwards was widely known as a four-star cornerback from Ohio’s powerful Glenville High. He signed with Tennessee in February 2009, and played eight games as a true freshman that year.

But in November 2009, he and two other teammates were arrested for attempted robbery in which a pellet gun was shown. They were dismissed from the team. Because Edwards did not handle the weapon, he received a two-year probation, which eventually was shortened. He is no longer on probation.

"I was never a bad kid," Edwards said. "I was never in any trouble in my life until that situation. It was me being in the wrong place at the wrong time. … Those two guys were my best friends on the Tennessee team. We were young. We all played as freshmen. … I acted without thinking about the consequences. I made a mistake. That’s part of growing up. That’s part of making great decisions at all times, not taking an hour off. An hour can change your life forever. That’s one of those situations that changed my life. I hope it can make me a better person. That’s what I want to show in Hawaii."

After that, Edwards enrolled in a junior college in Kansas.

Of his past achievements, he said, "I didn’t want all of that to go to waste. I knew if I had another opportunity, I would take advantage of it."

That happened when UH defensive line coach Tony Tuioti was alerted to Edwards’ availability. Tuioti met with Edwards’ family, friends and teammates. After receiving favorable reports, UH head coach Greg McMackin then approved offering a scholarship to Edwards.

"They made me feel I was part of the family," Edwards said. "This is a great place to make the most of a second opportunity. Everybody kept asking me when I would go back on the field and what school I would go to. It was tough. I kept my eyes on the prize. I worked hard in school. Now I’m here. The sky’s the limit."