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The University of Hawaii football team found a future investment a mile away.
Saint Louis School quarterback Chevan Cordeiro told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he has made an oral commitment to play for the Rainbow Warriors in 2018.
Cordeiro will be a senior this coming academic year.
Cordeiro was the primary understudy to All-State quarterback Tua Tagovailoa the past two seasons. Tagovailoa enrolled at Alabama in January and competed in the Crimson Tide’s spring practice.
“He probably could have started anywhere else,” Saint Louis quarterbacks coach Vinny Passas said of Cordeiro. “He dedicated himself to getting bigger and stronger and faster.”
Passas said Cordeiro is 6 feet 1, 180 pounds and can clean 275 pounds. Passas said Cordeiro is benefiting from a weight-training program that widened his shoulders and added oomph to his passes.
“He can make all the throws — the short ones, the intermediate routes, and the deep balls,” Passas said. “He has the opportunity (this season) to really showcase the type of talent he has.”
Saint Louis coach Cal Lee said: “I like his arm. He’s got good zip on his ball.”
But Lee added that Cordeiro also displays elusiveness.
“I like the way he runs,” Lee said. “We don’t like our quarterbacks running all the time, but he’s got good speed. Let me tell you, he can giddy-up. He has to be smart and not try to run over anybody. I have no doubts about him running. If they ask, he’ll run.”
Lee said Cordeiro draws comparisons to Jason Gesser, a former Saint Louis and Washington State quarterback.
“He’s quiet but effective,” Lee said. “Jason was like that, too.”
Passas said Cordeiro “leads by example. He tries to be the first one out there (on the field). He wants to be the first one in conditioning sprints. … He’s always physical in the weight room.”
Passas praised Cordeiro as a “great decision maker” and diligent student.
“He always sits in the first row when we have film (sessions),” Passas said. “He plays within the system really well. He can make plays with his arm and legs. He has a great understanding of what we’re doing. He’s a great fit for the University of Hawaii and what they do.”
Passas said Cordeiro is part of a prayer group that assists others on the Saint Louis campus.
“He’ll give the shirt off his back,” Passas said.
Lee said: “I like his attitude. He has a great attitude. He’s all about the team. He works hard to help the team.”
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