UH coach June Jones declined to comment. Ma'afala did not return messages left on his cell phone.

Ma'afala, who would have been a junior this fall, entered spring practice in April as the starting right tackle on defense. After the 15 days of workouts, Ma'afala and Matt Faga were listed as the top players at that position.

Ma'afala had met with the coaches several times in the past month.

"The one thing about him," Singletary said, "is he always puts his family first. Football is third or fourth in his life."

Singletary added Ma'afala "has a great faith in God. I know he's prayed over and over on what decision to make."

Singletary said Faga will enter the Aug. 9 start of training camp as the top right tackle. Lui Fuga, a senior who recently was granted a sixth season of eligibility, will open as the starting left tackle. Junior-college transfers Law-rence Wilson and Austin Jackson will join the Warriors Aug. 9.

As a Kamehameha Schools senior, Ma'afala was named to The Advertiser's 2001 All-State football team.

In his collegiate debut in 2002, he scored on a 32-yard interception return in the Warriors' season-opening victory over Eastern Illinois. Ma'afala played in 11 of the Warriors' 14 games that season, amassing 12 tackles.

Last season, Ma'afala played in 10 games, finishing with two sacks. At 270 pounds, Ma'afala was quick enough to also play defensive end. He often was featured in the Warriors' pass-prevent defensive schemes.

Ma'afala is a member of one of Hawai'i's most prominent football families. His uncles and father, Albert Sr., were high school standouts. His uncle Nick played for UH. Another uncle, Roy Ma'afala, played at Utah and briefly in the NFL. Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala is a running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars.