One of the state’s top high school football players has made an oral commitment to play for the Hawaii football team in 2013.

Aiea High’s Ualesi "Wesley" Sale said he will sign a national letter of intent on Feb. 6, the first day prep recruits may put their pledges in writing.

Sale was used at several positions with Na Alii. He is projected to compete at outside linebacker for the Warriors.

"We’ve had some good athletes at Aiea, and he’s one of them," Aiea coach Wendell Say said.

Sale, who is 6 feet 2 and 230 pounds, received offers from San Diego State and Kansas. Utah also showed strong interest.

Sale said a key factor was a desire to play in front of family and friends. His girlfriend, Roina Maafala, also was influential.

"I talked it over with my girlfriend at the end," Sale said. "I wanted her opinion. She said, ‘I think your best option is to go to UH.’"

His girlfriend’s father is Roy Maafala, who played at Utah. His late uncle, Nick Maafala, played for the Warriors.

Two of Sale’s older brothers are Aiea graduates who went on to play college football. With a sister also living on the mainland, Sale felt it would save his parents money on travel expenses if he remained in Hawaii.

Sale is the third highly sought local recruit to pledge to stay home. Waianae High defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii and Kahuku High offensive lineman John Waa also said they will sign with the Warriors.

Say said Sale has the frame to add more weight.

"He’s got a lot of room to grow," Say said.

Say marveled that Sale is "a really good athlete. He can play almost any position. We used him at various positions. He was a defensive end and linebacker. We also had him at safety and wide receiver. We even had him at quarterback a few games this year."

Say said the stints on offense were not gimmicks.

"He’s a good offensive player," Say said. "He catches the ball as well as anybody I know."

Say said Sale also is a popular student.

"He’s a good kid," Say said. "He has a good family. Hawaii is getting a good one."