‘Iolani School offensive lineman William Kava said yesterday he has verbally committed to play football at Washington.
The Advertiser All-State selection, who is 6 feet 3 and 280 pounds, turned down California, Hawai‘i, Utah and San Diego State. He only made recruiting trips to Washington on Dec. 1 and California on Dec. 2. He canceled the other three trips. He had said in December that his decision would be between Washington and California.
"They have a good football program and the academics are real good," Kava said. "I felt real comfortable up there."
Kava, a guard for the Raiders, said the Huskies are projecting him to play at either guard or center. He said he has never played center.
"What they like about him is that he’s real explosive off the ball," ‘Iolani coach Wendell Look said. "He has good mobility, good agility. He has good (blocking) technique."
Kava, who puts the shot and throws the discus during track and field season, said he will be doing a lot of weightlifting and running. He was last timed in the 40-yard dash at 5.0 seconds before the season started. His maximum bench press is 385 pounds and has done 19 to 20 repetitions of 225 pounds. He squat lifts 500 pounds.
He is the second all-state pick to choose a Mainland school. Earlier, Kamehameha offensive lineman Donovan Raiola committed to Wisconsin. His brother Dominic, a consensus All-America junior center at Nebraska, announced Thursday he has petitioned for the NFL draft.
The other local players to verbally commit have chosen Hawai‘i. They are St. Louis running back Pesefea Fiaseu, the Advertiser’s Offensive Player of the Year, and Kaimuki receivers Justin Faimealelei, an all-state pick, and Kila Kamakawiwo‘ole.
Other UH commitments are Virginia prep recei-ver/running back Nate Ilaoa, the Washington Post’s All-Metro Offensive Player of the Year and Grand Rapids (Mich.) junior college transfer offensive lineman Mike Holt.
Feb. 7 is the first day recruits may sign binding national letters of intent.
