Offensive lineman commits to Hawaii

The University of Hawaii football team filled a big need — offensive line — with a big recruit.

Micah “Big Mike” Vanterpool of Central High in Phoenix said he has accepted a football scholarship from the Rainbow Warriors. Vanterpool said he will sign on Wednesday, the first day the NCAA permits 2017 football recruits to put commitments in writing.

Vanterpool said he is 6 feet 6 and 286 pounds. He is expected to compete at guard for the Warriors.

Vanterpool also received scholarship offers from Boise State, UNLV, Northern Colorado, UC Davis and New Mexico State. But he said he made an easy decision after returning from a UH-sponsored recruiting trip last weekend.

“When I went to Hawaii, it felt like home,” Vanterpool said. “Everyone there was so accepting. I saw how much love is on the island. I thought, ‘Man, this place is incredible.’ ”

Asked about some of the highlights of the visit, Vanterpool said, “The food in Hawaii is so delicious. We went to this restaurant called Side Street (Inn). Oh, so delicious.”

Vanterpool has spent a lifetime living up to his nickname.

“I was a 10-pound baby,” Vanterpool said, praising his mother. “I think I was 26 inches. It took her two days to get through labor. She’s a trooper.”

Vanterpool also grew into a top student. He said he has an unweighted cumulative grade-point average of 3.7, ranking 13th out of Central’s 421-student senior class. Vanterpool said he hopes to take courses at UH that eventually will lead to a career in occupational therapy, physical therapy or athletic training.

“I was always a helper,” said Vanterpool, who volunteers at Trinity Lutheran Church. “I want to help people.”

Vanterpool also is a member of Central’s basketball and track and field teams. He competes in the discus and shot put. He said he also was encouraged to train with the sprinters to improve his hip flexibility and explosion.

“They always say big men can’t run (fast), but this one can,” said Vanterpool, who is capable of running 100 meters in a hand-timed 11.3 seconds.

Vanterpool said he will join the Warriors for UH’s bridge session, which begins in June. Offensive linemen RJ Hollis and Leo Koloamatangi completed their UH eligibility at the end of last month’s Hawaii Bowl.

“Maybe I can get in there and mix it in this coming year,” Vanterpool said. “If not, I can take my redshirt and get bigger, faster and stronger. Hopefully, we can go to some more bowl games like we did last year.”