UH football team gets Super 25 player
| • | Approximately 1,300 tickets remain for game |
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
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A former high school All-America running back has accepted a football scholarship from the University of Hawai'i.
Asked by The Advertiser if he is a Warrior, Leon "Action" Jackson said: "Yes, I am!"
Jackson, who was a freshman last season at Nebraska, has an impressive resume.
As a senior at Pasco (Wash.) High School, Jackson was a USA Today Preseason Super 25 player. In his career at Pasco, Jackson rushed for 4,929 yards, averaging 10.7 yards per carry.
Jeremy Crabtree, the national recruiting editor for Rivals.com, said Jackson received a 4-star rating, which is awarded to players who "have All-America and pro potential."
"He was in a rare category," Crabtree said. "Hawai'i is getting a heck of a player."
At Pasco, Jackson also was used as a defensive back. Recruiting expert Tom Lemmings rated Jackson as the nation's No. 2 safety prospect in 2005.
Jackson, who is 6 feet 2 and 210 pounds, can run 40 yards in 4.35 seconds.
"He's not a small running back," Crabtree said. "He's a legit 6-2. He does have some muscles and build to him. He can catch the ball. He'll be a complete back for Hawai'i."
Jackson is projected to compete at running back for UH.
He is attending a community college this year, and will enroll at UH in August. Because he is sitting out this season, fulfilling the one-season waiting period for a transfer, he will be eligible to play in 2007. He will have three seasons of eligibility.
Jackson was one of the most sought prospects in 2005. He received offers from Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State and Southern California. "He could have gone anywhere in the Pac-10 or Big 12," Crabtree said.
Jackson chose Nebraska, where he was expected to compete at running back.
According to the 2006 Nebraska media guide, Jackson played in nine of the final 10 games of the 2005 season. He was a member of the kick-coverage team and a backup safety.
Jackson left the Cornhuskers in August, saying he needed "a change of scenery."
"There were a lot of promises that were told," Jackson said. "It didn't work out. They told me some things that didn't happen."
Jackson said he was prepared to play for a junior college when UH assistant coach Rich Miano "called me out of nowhere."
After several discussions, Jackson decided to accept UH's scholarship offer. Although he will visit in two weeks, he wanted to commit now.
He said he looks forward to playing in the Warriors' four-wide offense.
"They spread it out, and I like that," Jackson said. "That opens up the running game. That fits me better."
Crabtree said "people think (the Warriors) just run and gun. They've got a heck of a rushing game. Leon will fit in with the way Hawai'i likes to use its running backs. They're a perfect fit."
BRENNAN A CAMP FINALIST
Quarterback Colt Brennan yesterday was named one of five finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award.
"Obviously, it's great to get recognition, and it's a great honor," Brennan said. "There are a lot of great players on the list. It's great recognition for me, and for the school, and for the offense. I'm very happy and grateful right now."
The other finalists are quarterbacks Brady Quinn of Notre Dame and Troy Smith of Ohio State, and running backs Steve Slaton of West Virginia and Darren McFadden of Arkansas.
The head football coaches and sports information directors of the 119 Division I-A schools are voters. The winner will be announced Dec. 7.
BLAZE HEATS UP DEFENSE
Blaze Soares is not among the players who emerge from the giant inflatable helmet when the UH defensive starters are introduced before home games.
But Soares, a three-time All-State player at Castle High, is regarded as a starter. In addition to the base scheme, which features the usual starters, the Warriors have four other defensive packages that use different personnel. Soares is an outside linebacker in two blitz packages.
"We consider him to be a starter in those packages," defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said.
Soares attended Hawai'i Pacific University last year to earn enough credits to gain admittance to UH. He was an inside linebacker before suffering a pulled hamstring early in the season. After returning, he was moved to outside linebacker.
"I guess Glanville wants me on the outside because of my speed," said Soares, who can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds.
In last week's 42-35 victory over Purdue, Soares made a crucial sack in the fourth quarter.
"Blaze can run," Glanville said. "He runs very fast, and he loves to hit. If you don't like Blaze, you don't like football. He's the Blaze."
NEWS AND NOTES
"The other o-linemen were worried for me," Satele said. "I wasn't worried about it."
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| UH FOOTBALL
WHAT: University of Hawai'i (10-2, 7-1 in Western Athletic Conference) vs. Oregon State (8-4, 6-3 in Pacific-10) WHEN: 7:05 p.m. Saturday WHERE: Aloha Stadium TV: Live on ESPN; AUDIO WEBCAST: espn1420am.com RADIO: Live on ESPN 1420. Neighbor Island simulcasts on KAOI on Maui/Kona, KPUA in Hilo and KQNG on Kaua'i GATES OPEN: Parking lot 2:30 p.m.; Stadium gates 3 p.m. TICKET PRICES: $38 sideline, $32 South end zone, $27 North end zone (adult), $22 North end zone senior citizen, $22 North end zone students 4-18, $5 UH students. TICKET SALES: Available online at hawaiiathletics.com, by calling 944-2697 (BOWS) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or at Stan Sheriff Center, Aloha Stadium, UH Campus Center, RainBowtique at Ward Centre and Windward Community College's OCET Office during business hours. Convenience fees may apply. PROMOTIONS: Green-out Night: Saturday's "Senior Night" game has been designated a "Green Out" and all fans are encouraged to wear green shirts in support of the Warriors and their talented senior class. 19 Seniors to be honored: Nineteen senior football players will be honored during a special post-game ceremony this Saturday for their contributions to the UH program. Fans are encouraged to remain in their seats following the game as these student-athletes are introduced during the traditional "Senior Walk." 30,000 Ti Leaves to be distributed: The first 30,000 fans to enter Aloha Stadium for the Oregon State football game will receive a ti leaf, compliments of game-sponsor First Hawaiian Bank. Disneyland & Inter-Island trips to be awarded: First Hawaiian Bank will provide an inter-island trip for two on Aloha Airlines to the winner of the pre-game field-goal kicking contest and a trip for four to Disneyland (including Aloha Airlines flight, hotel, and rental car) to the winner of the "Dash to Disneyland" halftime contest during the game. Fans can register at Gate 3 prior to the game. Las Vegas trip promotion for UH students: UH students can register at Gate 7 for the opportunity to win a trip to Las Vegas and other great prizes, compliments of First Hawaiian Bank and Vacations Hawaii. One student will be drawn from those who register to compete in a contest on the field between the third and fourth quarters. Thus far this season, two UH students have won trips to Las Vegas. UH students ride free: The Chancellor's Office will provide free bus transportation to the game. The buses will pick up UH students on Dole Street in front of the Gateway House two hours before game time. The buses will leave the stadium 30 minutes after the game and return to the Gateway House. Signup sheets will be at the front desks at each UH residence hall. 2-For-1 tickets for military: Two tickets for the price of one (maximum of 12) to military personnel (active and reservists) are available for the game. A valid military identification card is required when purchasing tickets at Aloha Stadium in advance or on game day. At the Stan Sheriff Center, this discount is only available in advance (MondayiFriday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Tickets are in special sections and supply is limited, so advance purchases are encouraged. Other restrictions may apply. PARKING: $5 ALTERNATIVE PARKING (no tailgating): • Leeward Community College (free with $2 charge for shuttle service); • Kamehameha Drive-In ($5 with free shuttle service); • Radford High School ($3 with no shuttle service). All shuttle service runs from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and approximately one hour after the game ends. SECURITY: Only fanny packs, purses, backpacks and handbags will be allowed into stadium (subject to check). TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Sports Radio 1420 will provide traffic advisories and updates before each UH football home game. BUS SHUTTLES: For UH students: Chancellor office is providing free bus transportation to the home games at Aloha Stadium. Buses will pick up UH students on Dole Street in front of Gateway House two hours before game time.The buses will leave the stadium 30 minutes after the game and return to Gateway. Sign-up sheets are at the front desk at each UH residence hall. Roberts Hawaii is offering round trip "air conditioned" shuttle bus services to Aloha Stadium for $6 from three O'ahu areas. Bus No. 3 will pick up at the Hawai'i Kai Park n' Ride at 4 p.m., at Bank of Hawai'i at Kahala Mall at 4:15 and proceed to the stadium. Bus No. 2 will pick up at the Kailua District Park, Kainalu Avenue at 4:15 p.m., at Windward Mall Shopping Center on Alaloa Street facing Sears at 4:30 and proceed to the stadium. Bus No. 1 will pick up at the Mililani Mauka Park n' Ride at 4:30 p.m. and go directly to the stadium. Reservations are required and service is first come, first serve. Call Roberts School Bus at 832-4886 for reservations and additional information. City bus service The FootballExpress offers 17 pickup locations throughout O'ahu. The first trip from each location leaves approximately three hours before kickoff and the last trip leaves approximately 90 minutes before the game. Return trips leave as soon as the bus is full, with the final trip leaving 30 minutes after the game ends. Honolulu pickup locations are at Ala Moana, downtown, Hawai'i Kai, Kahala Mall, Kaimuki, Palolo, Waikiki and the University of Hawai'i. Leeward pickups are at 'Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Mililani Mauka and Village Park. Windward pickups are at Kalaniana'ole Highway and Kailua Road, Kailua Road at Keolu Drive and Hele Street, Kailua Road at Hahani Street, Kane'ohe Bay drive at Mokapu Boulevard and Kane'ohe Bay Drive at Makalani Street. Rates are $3 one way and $6 roundtrip. Passes and transfers are not accepted. For information, go to: http://www.thebus.org |
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.
