The Hawaii football team began to build its 2014 recruiting class with an oral commitment from Farrington High safety/linebacker Manly Williams.

Williams said he notified the UH coaches of his decision on Wednesday.

"A big factor was my brother," he said of UH linebacker Lance Williams. "And I wanted to do this for my grandpa (John Williams). We always wanted him to watch us play. If we stayed in Hawaii, he could watch us. And I like staying at home."

Williams is 6 feet 2 and 195 pounds.

The Star-Advertiser rated Williams as the state’s third-best defensive back entering the 2012 season.

Williams was named to the Star-Advertiser’s 2012 all-state third team.

Williams’ uncle of the same name is a former Warriors linebacker. The elder Williams is a Farrington assistant coach.

"It’s pretty hard trying to fill his steps," the younger Williams said. "Back in the day, he was a big name. When people hear my name, they say, ‘Oh, you’re named after that good player who played at UH.’ They expect a lot. I always try to keep up."

Williams said most know him as "Pumba," which is derived from the warthog character Pumbaa from "The Lion King."

"My mom gave (the nickname) to me as a little kid," Williams said.

He said the football scholarship will ease his mother’s financial burden.

"My mom worked two jobs, overtime," he said of his childhood. "She did all that to take care of me and my brother."

Williams said he is close to his brother despite the age gap of nearly four years.

"We always had the same room," Williams said. "We shared the same game system. When my mom was working, my brother was there for me. He always cooked me dinner back then. I’m very close with him."

Williams has received interest from Stanford and UCLA. But he said he is committed to UH.

"I want to get my degree, get a good job, and try to help out my family," he said.