South Carolina QB commits to Warriors
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i football team yesterday received a commitment from one of the top high school players in South Carolina.
Brandon Satcher, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound quarterback from North Augusta High, told The Advertiser: "I'm coming out to Honolulu."
Satcher said he will put his commitment in writing today, the first day NCAA football recruits may sign binding national letters of intent.
"The coaches and players are really good people," Satcher said. "The city of Honolulu is so beautiful, it's hard to turn down. I'll be playing behind one of the best quarterbacks in the nation (senior Tim Chang). Hopefully, I'll be able to learn something."
Although he prefers to play quarterback, Satcher said, "if it doesn't work out over there, I would not have a problem playing wide receiver or defensive back or on special teams. I just want to play."
Last year, Satcher, who was raised in Georgia, moved to North Augusta, which is on the northern side of the South Carolina-Georgia border. As a senior in 2003, he completed 197 of 336 passes for 3,330 yards and 26 touchdowns (all school records). Satcher, who reportedly can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds, also led the team with 782 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns.
He was named the South Carolina football Player of the Year. He also was selected to the All-State first team for 4-A high schools, South Carolina's highest level. He will be honored this weekend as the Male Athlete of the Year for the Augusta region in South Carolina and Georgia.
Satcher said he became interested in the Warriors after watching their games on cable television. Through Fox Sports West, K5's telecasts of UH football games are shown in Georgia. Satcher also said he became familiar with UH coach June Jones when he was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
"I watched all of the televised (UH) games, and I was interested in the numbers Timmy Chang was putting up," Satcher said.
Mike Carvell, a former Hawai'i resident, produced a highlight videotape of Satcher's games. After the UH coaches reviewed the videotape, Satcher was invited on a recruiting visit last weekend.
Satcher apparently fell off recruiters' radar because he moved to South Carolina after his junior year. At his previous high school in Georgia, Satcher recalled, "all we did was hand the ball off. It was kind of boring. At North Augusta, it was a dream spot. Hawai'i's offense is a dream, too."
The Warriors are expected to receive faxed copies of letters of intent from 17 prospects today.
Providence Senior High (N.C.) running back Andrew Pearman, widely regarded as the jewel of this recruiting class, said he will sign his letter of intent this afternoon at a special assembly.
"I'm very excited about going to Hawai'i," Pearman said. "I hope I can make the people of Hawai'i proud of me."
Pearman, who can run 40 yards in 4.3 seconds, said he will compete at either slotback or wideout as a freshman, then move to running back for his second year. Three UH running backs will be seniors in the fall.
The Warriors have reserved scholarships for defensive lineman Quinn Ah You, defensive back George Perry and linebacker Chris Cole. They signed with UH last year, but did not meet the requirements to play last fall.
Also, Pac-Five head coach Joe Onosai yesterday said lineman Daniel Paileulu will attend a junior college in the fall. Onosai said another Pac-Five lineman, Dustin Pilialoha, is committed to signing with UH, although he has yet to meet the qualifications to play as an NCAA freshman.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
• • •
