D-lineman Mermea commits to Hawaii

The Hawaii football team improved its interior design, securing a commitment from a defensive lineman from Temecula, Calif.

Anthony Mermea of Vista Murrieta High completed a UH-sponsored recruiting visit last weekend, and after discussing the situation with his family, he decided to accept the Rainbow Warriors’ scholarship offer. He said he will sign Feb. 1, the first day 2017 football recruits can put their pledges in writing.

“I didn’t have to think about it,” Mermea said. “The weather is beautiful. The team is good. I decided to go where it’s more like home, and Hawaii is like home. Anywhere I go, I’m going to be away from home. I’m going to have to deal with that. I’m going to have to grow up. I feel Hawaii has the closest tight-knit group, and the players buy in.”

Mermea is 6 feet 3, 305 pounds, and capable of running 40 yards in 5.1 seconds. He said he likes the Warriors’ 4-3 defense, which will allow him to compete at nose tackle or 3-technique.

Mermea said he was 4 when his brother Ricky introduced him to football.

“He was the first one to set it off,” Mermea said. “It started in the backyard, and getting after it with your siblings. It made me want to compete. I love competition.”

Mermea ,whose mother is part Hawaiian, said he weighed 235 pounds as a freshman, 245 as a sophomore, 265 as a junior, and 290 last season. He said he hopes to weigh 285 when he enrolls at UH in June.