Former USC quarterback Max Wittek said there is a "good possibility" he will join the University of Hawaii football team as a non-scholarship player.
Wittek said "nothing is final yet," but he is in the "process" of "taking the next step" in transferring.
Wittek said he still needs to have "more conversations" with his family, as well as gain admission into his next school.
"This whole decision-making process has been tough," Wittek said. "I definitely do feel comfortable with (UH coach Norm) Chow. I have a really good relationship with him."
Wittek had hoped to earn a bachelor’s degree in May, which marked the end of his third year at USC. The NCAA usually requires a player to redshirt for a year after transferring between FBS schools. But a player who has earned a bachelor’s degree is eligible to compete immediately after transferring.
Wittek had listed Texas, Louisville and Hawaii as his initial preferred destinations. But Texas and Louisville withdrew their recruitment when it was learned Wittek would not accumulate enough credits to earn a degree in May.
Wittek and UH remained in contact, even though Wittek must redshirt this coming season, leaving him eligible to play only in 2015.
"I feel great with Coach Chow," said Wittek, who no longer is enrolled at USC. "He’s awesome. He’s been so helpful through this whole process. I do like Hawaii."
If he decides on Hawaii, Wittek said, he would be willing to join as a walk-on.
"I wouldn’t have a problem with that," Wittek said.
He said he would like to participate in his next school’s training camp.
"But, again, camp isn’t the biggest thing for me because I can’t play (in games) the first year," Wittek said.
Wittek took a recruiting visit to Hawaii in March.
"I had a great time," Wittek said. "I had two of the receivers hosting me the whole weekend. … Those are the guys I’d be throwing to. It was good to build a little bit of a relationship if I do come to Hawaii. I had a fantastic time. I ate some of the best food I’ve ever had."
The Warriors have five quarterbacks on the active roster. Taylor Graham and Jeremy Higgins will be fifth-year seniors this season. Ikaika Woolsey will be a third-year sophomore. Beau Reilly and Eric Prater are freshmen.
Aaron Zwahlen, who is serving a two-year church mission, joins the Warriors next summer.