Proving a talent search has no hard deadline, the University of Hawai'i football team went into recruiting overtime to secure a signed commitment from an offensive lineman from California.

Joey Lipp, a 2006 graduate of Chino High School, signed a scholarship agreement to play for the Warriors this season. Lipp received the UH offer after the NCAA's spring signing period.

A national letter of intent is a contract both the player and school must honor. The scholarship agreement Lipp signed only requires the school to guarantee the scholarship.

But Lipp said he is prepared to report to the Warriors' training camp next month. "I bought my (plane) ticket for Aug. 2," Lipp said.

He will travel with Chino teammate and UH recruit Greg Salas, who will play either wideout or cornerback for the Warriors.

"Joey's a great guy, and a great player," Salas said.

Lipp said: "We've been friends since the second grade. We're good buddies."

Lipp, who is 6 feet 3 and 265 pounds, was an offensive tackle for Chino. "I'm not sure where I'll end up (playing at UH)," he said.

He was named to the 2005 All-Sierra League first team, and was invited to compete in the Inland Empire Classic, which matches all-stars from San Bernardino and Riverside.

Lipp also was named his school's winner of the Principal's Award for academics. His cumulative grade-point average is 3.7, and he has earned an NCAA-qualifying score on the SAT.

Jeannie Barbosa, Chino's scholarship coordinator, sent Lipp's highlight videotapes and background sheet to UH. Lipp was told the UH coaches were impressed but "at the time, they didn't have any scholarships. They told me to wait and see what happens, to see if anything came up. Finally, it all worked out."

Lipp is an avid surfer. He recently returned from a three-day surf trip at San Onofre.

"The waves were pretty nice, but nothing like Hawai'i," he said.

UH TRIMS CAMP ROSTER FOR TRAINING CAMP

Because of NCAA roster limits, at least a dozen players who competed in spring practice will not be invited to training camp, which begins Aug. 4. There is a possibility some of the players might join the team Aug. 21, the first day of the fall semester, when rosters may expand. The NCAA limits training-camp rosters to 105 players.

Among the players not invited are offensive lineman Paul Harmon, running backs Jimmy Manley, Alonzo Chopp and Chris Williams; defensive backs Marques Dailey, Anapuni Coleman, Chris Thorpe, Devion Volta-Johnson, and Louis Santos; linebacker Nick Sipin, and defensive lineman Ammon Tong. Harmon will remain on scholarship. Manley and Dailey are expected to transfer to Division II schools.

UH coach June Jones said safety Geoff Hayth has been invited to training camp. Hayth was scheduled to enroll in January 2007.

"He'll help us," Jones said.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.