Athletic Manoa agrees to join Warriors

Hawaii football’s latest recruiting route is Manoa to Manoa.

David Manoa, a defensive end from Aragon High in San Mateo, Calif., said he has accepted a scholarship offer from the Warriors.

Manoa said he is 6 feet 4 and 225 pounds.

He said he is capable of running 40 yards in 4.8 seconds.

"He’s freakishly athletic," Aragon coach Steve Sell said. "He probably could gain another 50 pounds and still be athletic. Hawaii is getting a great one."

Manoa has family ties to Hawaii. His father is a Kahuku High graduate whose family was raised in Laie. His uncle is Tim Manoa, a Penn State graduate who was a running back with the Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts.

Manoa has been under the recruiting radar after transferring from Hayward High at the end of his sophomore year. In accordance with CIF rules, Manoa was required to sit out Aragon’s first five games in 2011.

Of transferring, Manoa said: "My parents felt it would be best for me to get away from my hometown. There’s a lot of stuff going on around the area. They wanted me to get away from that."

Manoa has been an easy fit at Aragon.

"He’s a terrific pass rusher," Sell said. "He’s a real physical defensive end. He’s a great football player. Hawaii is getting a high-character, high-energy player who loves the game. He plays hard. He’s physical. He’s tough."

Manoa said his passion for football began at a young age.

"Coming from a Tongan family, I guess you could say rugby has been the main sport," Manoa said. "Football is so similar. Growing up, my family was so involved with football. I think that’s what kind of got me into football."