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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Warriors' defense recruit list grows

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i football team continued to add to its defense yesterday, securing a commitment from a decorated high school safety from Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

Erik Pedersen, who is 6 feet 1 and 195 pounds, told The Advertiser he will accept a football scholarship from the Warriors. He is the eighth defensive player to commit to UH this year.

"It's a good team, and I want to be a part of it," Pedersen said.

As a senior at Palos Verdes Peninsula High, Pedersen had four interceptions and knocked down 10 passes.

He doubled as a running back, gaining more than 1,000 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns.

Pedersen was named the Bay League's Defensive Player of the Year.

He also was selected to the California Interscholastic Federation Division 3 all-star first team.

Palos Verdes Peninsula finished 12-1-1.

Pedersen can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds and dunk a basketball. He starts on the basketball team.

Pedersen, who drew interest from USC and Washington, credits his classmate, Dennis Kusai, who produced a DVD of Pedersen's football highlights.

Pedersen's father distributed the DVD to several schools, including UH. Impressed by Pedersen's apparent football skills on the DVD, UH invited him on a recruiting trip this past weekend.

UH coach June Jones offered Pedersen a scholarship on Sunday. Pedersen said he will accept it today.

Pedersen said he was told he can compete at strong safety.

Meanwhile, cornerback Qwenton Freeman of Pasadena City College said UH remains his top choice.

Freeman disputed an Internet story that said he was leaning toward Washington.

"That was a false comment," he said. "That ticks me off. I'm still highly interested in the University of Hawai'i. As far as today goes, Hawai'i is No. 1."

Freeman, who completed a recruiting trip to Hawai'i last Sunday, said he is impressed with UH coach Jones and assistant head coach George Lumpkin. "June Jones was so up front," Freeman said. "Coach George Lumpkin did a great job. He gave me a lot of information, but he didn't pressure me. I love that."

Freeman said he was prepared to commit to UH on Sunday, but "my mother said to take the Washington trip (this weekend). She doesn't want me to choose off of one trip."

But he said, "Washington is a rainy place. I like Hawai'i, as far as the people. When (the UH hosts) were showing me around, they were going to introduce me as the 'new recruit.' I told them to introduce me as 'Qwenton.' I didn't want them to treat me different because I was a recruit. But everyone still treated me great. And the food is great. Everything about Hawai'i is great."

He said he expects to announce a decision Sunday. But, he said, "let everyone know I'm wearing a T-shirt that says 'Hawai'i.' "

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

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