The University of Hawaii opened the football-recruiting drive on Thursday, securing a commitment from a junior-college defensive lineman.

Kolotolu "Tolu" Fieeiki of Fullerton College said he will join the Warriors this summer. Fieeiki will sign a letter of intent on Feb. 4, the first day recruits may put pledges in writing.

The NCAA’s "dead period," which prohibited face-to-face contact between coaches and prospects, ended at 11:59 Wednesday night. On Thursday, Fieeiki said, he met with UH head coach Norm Chow and defensive line coach Lewis Powell.

"I’m going to be a Warrior," Fieeiki said, noting Powell has been the point recruiter for several months.

"Coach Powell showed me love from the start," Fieeiki added. "I could trust what he’s saying. Hawaii will be my home for the next two years."

Fieeiki actually has three years to play two seasons.

Fieeiki said he is 6 feet 5 and 240 pounds.

He played defensive end in Fullerton’s 4-3 defense the past two seasons.

Fieeiki said his family moved to Fullerton prior to his senior year at Villa Park High. "I decided to go to Fullerton (College)," he said. "It’s a five-minute drive."

As a college freshman, one of his teammates was linebacker Simon Poti. "He helped welcome me to the team," Fieeiki said.

Poti, who is UH’s starting inside linebacker, encouraged the coaches to recruit Fieeiki.

Soon after, Powell contacted Fieeiki.

Fieeiki received offers from Kansas State and Texas-San Antonio. But he said UH was an easy choice.

Fieeiki said he sings in the church choir. He also plays rugby "for fun." He will earn an Associate’s degree in May, then join the Warriors this June. He said he plans to study criminal justice at UH.

Fieeiki said he will take an official UH visit this month. But he said he is fully committed to playing for the Warriors.