UH lands two recruits
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i football team yesterday secured commitments from a former high school All-America defensive player who attended the University of Southern California as a freshman and one of the best long-snappers in junior college football.
They are:
- Austin Jackson, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound defensive lineman from Mount San Antonio College in California.
- Bryce Runge, a 6-foot-1, 245-pound long-snapper from Fullerton (Calif.) College.
They will put their commitments in writing next Wednesday, the first day NCAA recruits may sign national letters of intent.
"I committed to the University of Hawai'i because I think the program is heading in the right direction," Jackson said. "I think Hawai'i has a bright future."
Jackson turned down an offer from Iowa State and canceled this week's recruiting trip to UCLA. He said he will not take any more recruiting trips.
As a senior linebacker at Serra High at Gardena, Calif., Jackson was named a 2000 Prep Star All-American. He also was selected to the California Interscholastic Federation's Southern Section all-star team.
Jackson turned down scholarship offers from Tennessee, Ohio State, Colorado and Oregon to sign with USC in 2001. He redshirted as a freshman, but played in the 2002 spring game, making a sack.
Although he was expected to play on the defensive line as a second-year freshman, Jackson left USC before the start of the 2002 season.
Melvin Jackson said his son's decision was based on USC not being "a good fit."
Austin Jackson played the past two seasons at Mount San Antonio. He will have two years remaining to play two seasons.
"I like the coaches, and I like the fact I have a chance to compete right away," said Jackson, who is expected to play defensive tackle.
Jackson can bench press more than 400 pounds.
Jackson initiated contact with the Warriors, paying his own way to tour the UH campus last year. His high school coach is a close friend of George Lumpkin, UH's defensive coordinator. He completed a 48-hour recruiting visit to Hawai'i last Sunday.
Melvin Jackson said his family has long ties to Hawai'i. As an executive with a Los Angeles-based aerospace firm, Melvin Jackson has visited Hawai'i regularly during the past 12 years. His company, which served as a host for last year's game between UH and USC in Los Angeles, has recruited several graduates from UH's engineering program.
Melvin Jackson is a former offensive lineman who played on USC's national championship team in 1974. He also played five seasons with the Green Bay Packers.
Runge, who was raised in Anaheim, Calif., will give the Warriors a long-snapper with the heft to block on placekicks and the speed to chase down punts.
Eugene Price, Deacon Hanson and Tyler Tanigawa played the exclusive role of long-snapper for past UH teams. But Runge is believed to be the first to join the Warriors as a scholarship player.
Runge visited UH this past weekend, and notified the UH coaches of his decision last night.
Meanwhile, Kahuku High center Jeremy Perry said he will visit UH this weekend, rejecting a recruiting trip to Michigan. That leaves Hawai'i and Arizona as his likely top choices.
He canceled a visit to UH two weeks ago because of illness. Last week, he visited Arizona.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
