Posted on: Friday, February 11, 2005

Seattle linebacker commits to Hawai'i

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Adam Leonard, a highly regarded high school linebacker from Seattle, told The Advertiser he has accepted a football scholarship from the University of Hawai'i.

Leonard, who is completing a recruiting visit to Hawai'i, said, "This is where I'm going to spend the next four years of my life."

Leonard, who is 6 feet 2 and 225 pounds, said he can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds and bench press 185 pounds 37 times.

He was the Metro Sound League's Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and junior.

As a Rainier Beach High school junior, he doubled as a tight end, catching 23 passes for 525 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also made 90 tackles.

He drew interest from Miami, UCLA, Oregon and Washington State before suffering an injury to his left knee last summer and a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the third game of the 2004 season.

UCLA and Duke offered to reserve a scholarship for Leonard if he delayed enrolling until next year.

Leonard said UH offered a scholarship for the coming season, and he accepted it yesterday morning.

"My rehab is coming along great," said Leonard, who pledged to be ready for the start of the Warriors' training camp in August. "I'm jumping rope every day."

He said his rehabilitation program is under the supervision of the Seattle Seahawks' team doctor.

Leonard has met the qualifications to play as an NCAA freshman. He has a 3.1 cumulative grade-point average and scored 990 on the SAT.

Former NFL standouts Eric Metcalf and James Hasty recommended Leonard to the UH coaching staff. Hasty and UH assistant coach Rich Miano were teammates with the New York Jets.

"Coach Miano is a character," Leonard said. "He loves life, and he loves football. It's great to be around him. He helped make my decision easy."

Leonard's parents also endorsed his choice.

"He has my blessing," Richard Leonard said.

Leonard said his parents have a time-share in Hawai'i.

"They can come down here and chill on the beach and then watch their son play football," he said.

Leonard said he was ready to commit within the first few hours of his visit.

"It seems like a family around here," he said. "They work hard, and they get along with each other. This feels right. This is where I want to be."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.