In a late surge, the University of Hawaii football team secured scholarship agreements with College of San Mateo quarterback Dru Brown and defensive lineman Alexander Sunia of Leone High School in American Samoa.
Both players will enroll in UH’s bridge program, which begins June 26, and participate in training camp in August.
Brown, who was an academic qualifier as a Los Gatos (Calif.) High senior, will have four years to play three UH seasons.
As a freshman last year, Brown threw for 1,879 yards and 21 touchdowns in 11 games. He also averaged 4.7 yards on non-sack carries, and rushed for six touchdowns.
“It just felt like home,” said Brown, who completed a Hawaii recruiting trip on Thursday. “It’s a great place. I love the coaches. I love the players. It’s where I want to be.”
Brown enters a quarterback competition that includes senior Ikaika Woolsey, third-year sophomore Beau Reilly and second-year freshman Aaron Zwahlen. Cole McDonald, a freshman from La Habra, Calif., and Kyle Gallup, a second-year freshman who was a walk-on at Marshall last year, join the Warriors this summer.
“I know they have a bunch of great quarterbacks already,” Brown said. “Competing makes you better as a player and a person. I’m excited for the opportunity.”
Los Gatos ran a two-back, pro-set offense during Brown’s senior season. San Mateo used a pistol offense, a scheme originating at Nevada. It was at Nevada’s football camp a few years ago where Brown met UH coach Nick Rolovich, who was the Wolf Pack’s offensive coordinator at the time. They kept in contact after that.
“I really like Coach Rolo and the whole (UH) staff,” Brown said. “I feel like they genuinely care about their players and the program. It feels like home.”
Brown, who is 5 feet 11 and 200 pounds, said he is at ease in read-option and run-and-shoot schemes. The Warriors employ both concepts.
“I’m comfortable running the ball, but I also like to think I’m comfortable in the pocket making throws,” Brown said.
Brown said he trains with Adam Tafralis, a former San Jose State quarterback who is now an instructor with Elite-11.
Sunia was used mostly as an offensive lineman for Leone. He projects to compete at nose tackle or defensive tackle in the Warriors’ 4-3 defense. Sunia is 6 feet 2 and 305 pounds.
The Warriors began the offseason conditioning program this past Tuesday. Training camp opens on July 31, with the first practice on Aug. 1.
