One of Maui’s top high school football players has made an oral commitment to play for the University of Hawaii.

Baldwin High quarterback Keelan Ewaliko, who will be a senior this fall, has decided to pursue a childhood goal.

"It’s something I wanted to do since I was little," Ewaliko said. "I always looked up to (the Warriors) and I always wanted to play for them."

Earlier, Kahuku High offensive lineman John Wa‘a and linebacker/tight end Rashaan Falemalu pledged to accept scholarship offers as part of the Warriors’ 2013 recruiting class.

Ewaliko, who is 5 feet 11 and 175 pounds, led the Maui Interscholastic League in passing (115.1 yards per game) and rushing (810 yards) in 2011. He threw 13 scoring passes and rushed for 12 touchdowns. Ewaliko was named the MIL’s Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and junior.

Ewaliko has been told he will be considered at several positions.

"I can kick, too," he added.

Last weekend, Ewaliko helped Baldwin win the boys title in the state track and field meet. He finished first in the 200-meter dash (22.49 seconds), sixth in the 100 meters (11.29 seconds) and was part of the winning 4×100 relay.

"Winning the 200 is a good accomplishment, but the relay was about four fast runners working together," Ewaliko said.

When it comes to being in the spotlight, this wasn’t Ewaliko’s first rodeo. He actually has competed in several state rodeos, winning two championship belts in bull riding.

Ewaliko grew up on a ranch in Makawao.

"It’s hard work," he said. "You have to wake up early. Feed the animals. Clean up. It teaches you responsibility, like, man up."

It also gave him the confidence to go against bigger defenders in football.

"Since I work with large animals, I’m not really scared when I’m behind center," Ewaliko said. "When you have no fear, you don’t have fear to worry about."

With work, school and sports, he has little free time.

"I’m focused on where I want to be in five, 10 years," he said.

In 2013, that will be in Manoa.