Top Hawai'i prep football prospect commits to UH
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i football team yesterday secured a commitment from one of the state's top prospects.
Jason Rivers, a 6-foot-2, 193-pound wide receiver from Saint Louis School, will put his commitment in writing Feb. 5, the first day of the NCAA signing period.
RIVERS
"He's the No. 1 draft pick," Saint Louis athletic director Cal Lee said. "He's a competitor, plus he's a good athlete. He has a lot of skills."
Washington, Washington State, Oregon and Arizona State also pursued Rivers, who made his decision yesterday afternoon. Rivers visited Washington State two weeks ago, and is completing a UH recruiting trip today.
"After weighing all of my options, I decided I wanted to go to UH," Rivers said. "If you're a receiver, what better place to be? Everyone gets to touch the ball. It's paradise for a receiver."
Rivers is a starter on the Crusader basketball team, as well as the defending state champion in the 100-meter sprint.
Student Sports magazine ranked Rivers as one of the top 100 football players in the West Region during the preseason.
Despite a pulled hamstring, Rivers caught 47 passes for 646 yards and four touchdowns. During a three-game stretch against Kamehameha (twice) and Farrington, he had 29 catches for 397 yards and three touchdowns.
"I think he's got great athletic ability and great speed to match it," Crusader coach Delbert Tengan said. "He's a hard-working individual."
Lee said: "He's prolific. He has height, he can jump and he can run after the catch. He has everything anybody would look for."
Tengan said he was not surprised by Rivers' decision.
"First, the amount of time they throw the ball is enticing," Tengan said of the Warriors' run-and-shoot offense. "Second, the system they run offensively is what we run here. He'll feel very comfortable."
Rivers agreed, adding it would be an easier adjustment to play for the Warriors. "I'm used to what they run," he said.
Rivers also said he wanted to play in front of family and friends.
Rivers will help fill a void left by wideout Justin Colbert, UH's career leader in receptions. Colbert completed his UH football eligibility in December.
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