Warriors sign Mililani back

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

A running back who tied a state record for most rushing touchdowns in a high school game has signed a scholarship agreement with the University of Hawai'i football team.

Brian Daniels ran for 279 yards and six touchdowns against Kailua last season. Advertiser library photo

"I'm looking forward to staying in Hawai'i and playing for the Warriors," Daniels told The Advertiser.

The 6-foot 1, 218-pound Daniels will be used at running back at UH, although he also has the option of moving to slotback.

Against Kailua High last year, Daniels rushed for 279 yards and six touchdowns. Another 58 yards were nullified because of a holding penalty.

Mililani High coach James Millwood also coached James Fenderson, UH's leading rusher last year and now a free agent with the New Orleans Saints. "At this stage," Millwood said, "(Daniels) is bigger and stronger."

Through daily workouts, Daniels was able to whittle his time in the 40-yard dash from 4.6 seconds last year to 4.5. Last spring, he ran 100 meters in a hand-timed 10.9 seconds.

"He's a great kid with a great attitude, and he will get better," Millwood said.

Daniels, a military dependent, moved from Holland two years ago. "The teams were really small" in Holland, Daniels said. "Most of the guys were expected to play both ways."

Millwood said Daniels was admittedly "raw" when he joined the Trojans as a junior. "But he always practiced hard and was ready to go," Millwood said. "He led by example."

Millwood said the game plan was to give the football to Daniels about 30 times a game.

"Our team went with him," Millwood said. "When he was healthy, we played well. When he wasn't healthy, we didn't play as well."

Despite missing three games with a concussion, Daniels was named to the Oahu Interscholastic Association's Red Conference all-star team.