The University of Hawaii football team lost to top-ranked Ohio State last Saturday, but ended up winning oral commitments from two tall and fast California high school players who watched the game.
Trey Hoskins, a cornerback from Dougherty Valley High in San Ramon, and Adarrus Wilson, a receiver from Morningside High in Los Angeles, pledged to sign with the Rainbow Warriors in 2016. Each is 6 feet 3. Hoskins has been timed at 4.2 seconds in the short shuttle. Wilson has been clocked at 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Hoskins received offers from Utah State and San Jose State. Oregon State and Boise State expressed interest.
Hoskins made his decision last weekend, then sealed his commitment after meeting with his family and former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew.
“They backed me up 100 percent with my choice,” Hoskins said, noting the Rainbow Warriors “felt like family.”
Hoskins played on Jones-Drew’s 7-on-7 traveling team. Jones-Drew and UH offensive line coach Chris Naeole were teammates with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hoskins said Jones-Drew, who initiated contact after watching a highlight video, was instrumental in his football development. “He teaches us not just what’s important, but he gets on the field and shows us what needs to be done and how to do the techniques,” Hoskins said of Jones-Drew.
Wilson, who also can play defensive back, moved twice in the past three years and is at his third high school. But Wilson said Abraham Elimimian, who recruits the Los Angeles area, made initial contact and then offered a scholarship. Oregon State also was recruiting Wilson.
“I picked (the Warriors) because they came to me not only as a football team, but as a family,” Wilson said. “That’s important to me. I wanted to go to a place where I felt I belonged, and not just because of football.”
Wilson began playing football when he was 11, but stopped because of the expense. He played again as a freshman at Rancho Verde. His family then moved to different parts of Los Angeles. Wilson also competes in track, and is a skilled cook.
