The University of Hawai‘i football team has received verbal commitments from two prolific high school teammates from Corona, Calif.
Centennial High running back Mike Bass, who rushed for 2,875 yards and 40 touchdowns as a senior, and quarterback/cornerback Lamar Broadway, who amassed 3,148 yards in total offense and accounted for 39 touchdowns, told The Advertiser last night they will sign national letters of intent on Feb. 7.
Bass, 5 feet 6 and 165 pounds, was chosen ESPN’s Player of the Year for Southern California. He was also named Offensive Player of the Year for the California Interscholastic Federation’s Southern Section Division 5 after leading Centennial to the championship and a 13-1 record.
"He’s the next coming of Barry Sanders," said Frank Kalil, Centennial offensive coordinator. "Nobody ever lays a hit on him. He’s as good a running back as I’ve seen in a long time."
Bass also visited Tulsa, Fresno State and New Mexico. He canceled this weekend’s trip to Colorado.
"I chose Hawai‘i because of the run-and-shoot offense and the coaching staff," said Bass, who said he can run 40 yards in 4.42 seconds.
Broadway is a nephew of former UH quarterback Michael Carter. He said he grew up idolizing Carter, who led the Rainbows to a Western Athletic Conference championship in 1992. Broadway said his home is filled with UH memorabilia and football videotapes.
"I’ve heard so much about Hawai‘i," said Broadway, who turned down offers from Fresno State and San Jose State. "I never thought I’d get the opportunity to play there."
Broadway passed for 2,291 yards and 23 touchdowns, and rushed for 857 yards and 14 touchdowns. In four games as a cornerback, he amassed 46 tackles and five interceptions.
Broadway said he was told he will be used as a cornerback at UH. At 5 feet 113/4 and 175 pounds, he said, "I didn’t think I was big enough to be a quarterback."
