Defensive lineman Lawrence Lagafuaina, who spent the past four football seasons at Washington, is prepared to transfer to Hawaii.
"I’m going to be a Warrior," said Lagafuaina, who is awaiting acceptance into a UH master’s program.
Lagafuaina is hopeful of earning admission ahead of the Aug. 1 start of the Rainbow Warriors’ training camp.
If approved, Lagafuaina will be eligible to play this season. A player usually must redshirt a season after transferring between FBS schools. An exception is if a player has graduated. Lagafuaina has earned a bachelor’s degree.
Lagafuaina is taking the circuitous route to the Manoa campus. As an Aiea High senior in 2009, Lagafuaina made an oral commitment to accept a UH scholarship.
"I then de-committed," said Lagafuaina, who chose to sign with the Huskies. "I remember de-committing at the last moment because I felt I could always come back home if I didn’t like being at Washington."
Lagafuaina signed with the Huskies in February 2010.
"If I stayed home, I felt it would be a distraction," he said. "I wanted to go away and experience what’s out there."
Lagafuaina redshirted in 2010. He played in eight of 13 games in 2011. He played in the first three games in 2012 before suffering a season-ending injury. This past season, he played in 12 of 13 games.
After head coach Steve Sarkisian decided to leave Washington for USC, Lagafuaina also felt he needed a change of scenery. Pete Kwiatowski would have been Lagafuaina’s third defensive coordinator at Washington, following Nick Holt and Justin Wilcox.
"It would have been starting over again," Lagafuaina said. "If I’m going to start over again, I might as well go back home and start again in Hawaii."
Lagafuaina secured a release from Washington, then contacted the UH coaches. The Warriors were willing to open a spot for Lagafuaina, who was named to the 2009 Division II All-State first team. He also was selected as the OIA West’s 2009 defensive player of the year.
Lagafuaina said he is impressed with UH head coach Norm Chow.
"He’s been real about everything," Lagafuaina said. "He’s straight up. I really like him."
Lagafuaina added: "I’m willing to play wherever they need me. I’m willing to work hard to get a spot. I’m here to help UH and to give back."
