In searching the four corners of the Earth for talent, the University of Hawaii secured a commitment from a linebacker from a four-corner state.
The defensive leader of one of the nation’s top high school football programs — linebacker Zach Bowers of Chandler (Ariz.) High — told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he has accepted a scholarship offer from the Rainbow Warriors.
“When I got there, I felt the family aspect of it,” said Bowers, who visited Hawaii this past weekend. “Everyone welcomed me with open arms. Talking with (assistant head coach/linebackers coach Mark) Banker and going over the defensive scheme, it felt like the perfect fit.”
Shaun Aguano, Chandler’s head coach and a 1988 Kapaa High graduate, said Bowers was “comfortable with the culture there and that family environment. He felt comfortable in committing.”
Bowers, who will be a senior this fall, may sign a letter of intent in December.
The past two seasons, Chandler followed Arizona 6-A state championships with victories in national bowl games. In December, Chandler beat Miami (Fla.) Northwestern 55-20 in the GEICO Bowl Series. Each year, the top 20 high school teams qualify for a lottery in which four teams are selected to play in two bowls.
Bowers started at outside linebacker in 2016 and middle linebacker in 2017. The Wolves align in a 4-2-5 defensive formation in which Bowers is used as a pass-rusher, gap-filler and pass defender.
“He has in incredible IQ for football,” Aguano said. “He plays hard every down. He’s our leader in our defense this year. He has an incredible work ethic in the weight room. He’s just a great kid. UH is getting a great kid.”
Bowers began playing football when he was 6. “It’s basically been my whole life,” he said.
He was admittedly nervous when he earned a starting job as a sophomore. “But I had great seniors ahead of me who helped me transition pretty easily,” Bowers said.
He also has a supportive family who emphasized academics. Bowers has a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average.
He received offers from Syracuse, Nevada, Air Force, Army, Brown and Dartmouth. But after discussing UH’s plans, Bowers said, “that was it. I knew Hawaii was the perfect fit. I told coach (Nick) Rolovich: ‘I’m ready to commit to Hawaii.’”
Aguano can serve as a helpful Hawaii reference. After playing at Linfield, Aguano returned to Kauai to coach at Kapaa High for seven years. Aguano has been at Chandler for 16 years, the past eight as head coach.
