Alexander said he notified the UH coaches of his decision yesterday morning.

"I was impressed with the coaches," said Alexander, who visited UH two weeks ago. "I liked how they acted. That's what impressed me."

Alexander, who is 6 feet 3 and 217 pounds, can run 40 yards in 4.48 seconds. He has a vertical jump of 37 inches.

Alexander also was recruited by Stanford, UCLA, Washington, Washington State and Fresno State.

Alexander's godfather is Sid Patton, whose son, Kenny Patton, is a University of Hawai'i starting cornerback.

Kirk Sr. and UH assistant coach Dan Morrison were close friends when Morrison was Santa Monica High's offensive coordinator for nine seasons through 1981.

Kirk Sr. said UH defensive coordinator George Lumpkin "is a family friend."

Kirk Sr. also traveled several times to Hawai'i when he worked for United Airlines.

Hawai'i quarterback Tim Chang sat out practice yesterday because of a sore back.

When she was told of her son's decision, Karen said, "If you love it, I love it."

She vowed to attend most of his games.

As a junior, Alexander had 113 tackles, 10 sacks, eight forced fumbles and four interceptions. As a senior, he played wide receiver, cornerback, safety, linebacker and defensive end. He made 125 tackles.

Alexander also runs track and plays forward on the basketball team.

UH offered Alexander the option of playing receiver or safety. Or both.

"I might consider both," he said. "If I had to settle on one thing, it would be safety."

Kirk Sr., a professional trainer who has tutored several NFL players, said his son "is a hard worker and he's good about taking instruction."

Karen said she knows her son will adjust easily to Hawai'i even though "he'll be far away. We know Hawai'i."

Freshman QB Humphrey leaving

TAYLOR HUMPHREY

Despite bouts of homesickness, Humphrey said his decision was not based on that nor his expected playing time. With Tim Chang completing his UH eligibility in next week's Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, UH coach June Jones promised to open the competition in spring practice.

"It was hard for me to adjust" to Hawai'i, said Humphrey, who was raised in Orinda, Calif. "I've had a great time. ... This is a special place. I was waiting to do some great things (but) I don't feel it's my calling to be here."

Humphrey said he wanted to notify the coaches early "so they can recruit another quarterback if they needed to."

Morrison, who coaches the quarterbacks, said, "We wish him the best. He's leaving on very good terms. We'll help him any way we can."

Humphrey, who was redshirting this season, passed for more than 5,500 yards and 46 touchdowns at Miramonte High.

Jack Rolovich, a second-year freshman, has emerged as the top backup to Chang this season. Freshman Tyler Graunke, who is redshirting, also is expected to compete for the starting job.

Freshman Brandon Satcher, who was on the traveling roster for the first two road trips this season, is on a personal leave of absence. He remains on the team and will compete in spring practice.

The other quarterbacks are juniors Kainoa Akina and Jeff Rhode. Inoke Funaki, a former Kahuku High quarterback, has returned from a church mission and will enroll at UH in January.

UH also is recruiting two quarterbacks.