What better way to create chaos for opposing football offenses than to recruit a joker?
Jordan Silva of Murrieta (Calif.) Valley High told the Star-Advertiser he has accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Hawaii football team.
Silva will compete at the hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker position known as joker.
Silva said he is 6 feet 5, 240 pounds and capable of running 40 yards in under 4.8 seconds.
Silva received offers from San Jose State and New Mexico State, and had conversations with UCLA coaches.
"To be honest, I felt really comfortable with the Hawaii coaches," Silva said. "I really like (defensive line) coach (Lewis) Powell. He came to visit me. He talked a lot about the university and the football program."
Silva is scheduled to visit Hawaii on the final weekend of January, but did not wait to make a commitment.
"I want to be a Warrior," Silva said.
Silva will sign a letter of intent on Feb. 5, the first day high school seniors may put their football commitments in writing.
Silva said he looks forward to being on the same team as rush end Jeremy Castro, who transferred from UCLA this past summer. Castro, who attended Vista Murrieta High, and Silva sometimes trained together.
"He’s such a great player," Silva said. "I looked up to him when I was a sophomore and he was a senior."
In 10 games, Silva had nine sacks. Fifty of his 74 tackles were solo stops.
Silva, who can play tight end, also was used as a running back in short-yardage situations. He rushed for 150 yards on 30 carries, and scored six touchdowns. His running skills earned him the nicknames "Moose" and "Refrigerator."
On his rushing style, Silva said, "To be honest, I just run. If I want to hit guys, I’ll just lower my shoulder."
This weekend, the Rainbow Warriors received a future commitment from receiver/returner Mack Richards of Alta (Utah) High.
Richards, who is 6-1 and 190 pounds, will go on a two-year church mission after his high school graduation in June. He will join the Warriors for the 2016 season.
Richards has 125 catches and 26 TDs in his Alta career, including 62 catches for 1,096 yards and 13 scores this season. He also has two touchdowns each on punt and kickoff returns.
