One of the state’s top defensive players has accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Hawai‘i football team.
Linebacker Ikaika Curnan of St. Louis School announced his decision to the UH and Wisconsin coaching staffs yesterday afternoon.
Calling it a "tough decision," Curnan said he chose UH over Wisconsin because of assistant coach Ron Lee, who coordinates local recruiting for the Warriors, and the opportunity for his family and friends to watch him play home games. Lee was St. Louis’ offensive coordinator when Curnan was a sophomore in 1998.
Curnan, who is 5 feet 11 and 230 pounds, said he will sign an NCAA letter of intent on Wednesday, the first day high school seniors may put their commitments in writing.
Curnan can bench press nearly 400 pounds and run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds.
He is projected to play inside linebacker at UH.
As a junior in 1999, he was named The Advertiser’s state defensive player of the year. He was named to the all-state team three times and the Interscholastic League of Honolulu all-star team three times. He also received All-America honorable mention twice, and is a two-time national defensive player of the year.
Curnan led the Crusaders in tackles in each of the past three seasons. He missed only one game because of injury.
For his career, he amassed 332 tackles, including 72 for losses, 79 quarterback hurries, 44 knockdowns, 18 sacks, four forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.
In 2000, he made 97 tackles, including 19 for losses, and had 22 hurries, 14 knockdowns and seven sacks. His best game was when he made 20 tackles against Kamehameha. In 1999, he 146 tackles.
Curnan received several offers before narrowing his choices to UH and Wisconsin. He visited the Wisconsin campus last weekend. But after mulling his options the past three days, he decided to attend UH.
Curnan said he plans to major in engineering.
He also is a member of the St. Louis soccer team.
