Proving it is never too early to plan ahead, the University of Hawai'i football team yesterday received a verbal commitment from a Texas all-state cornerback who will not join the Warriors for another 13 months.

Jeremiah Alexander of Jack Yates High School in Houston said he chose UH after consulting with his parents and defensive coordinator Jeff Ceasar. He will be a senior this year, and will join the Warriors in August 2008.

Alexander has a cumulative 3.5 grade-point average and already has earned an NCAA-qualifying SAT score.

"He's never going to be a problem in the classroom," Ceasar said.

As a junior last season, Alexander amassed nine interceptions, including five in three playoff games. Yates has reached the third round of Texas' 4-A playoffs the past two seasons. Alexander was named to the 4-A All-State first team. Yates had the top-ranked defense among 4-A schools in the Greater Houston area last year.

"He hits hard and he's a hard worker," Ceasar said. "He'll out-work his opponent day in and day out. He has great instincts as a DB. He's a big-time pickup for Hawai'i."

Alexander said UH's offer "came out of nowhere" two weeks ago. After that, he used the Internet to research the Warriors. He also said he was impressed with UH defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold.

"Coach Jeff was cool," Alexander said. "He seemed real. It wasn't like he was hiding anything."

Alexander recently was measured at 5 feet 10 at the Houston combine. He weighs 175.

This summer he also has participated in football camps at Louisiana State, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas-El Paso and Texas Christian.

Ceasar also coached UH starting left cornerback Gerard Lewis at North Shore High School in Houston. Ceasar said he is arranging for Lewis and Alexander to meet.

"I'll get that connection going," Ceasar said. "There's a lot of talent in Houston, and Hawai'i has a great system. I hope we can get a pipeline going. This is a good start. Jeremiah has a good character with a good family background. Hawai'i will never have a problem with him. With his work ethic, I'm not worried about him."

Alexander's teammate, defensive end Kenny Frankson, also has received a scholarship offer from UH.

Frankson, who is 6-3 and 235 pounds, had 11 sacks last season.

He also has received an offer from UTEP.

CLINIC THIS WEEKEND

Two former Warriors — guard Vince Manuwai of the Jacksonville Jaguars and running back Nate Ilaoa of the Philadelphia Eagles — will be guest instructors at this weekend's Hawai'i Football Clinic.

The clinic is divided into two segments — Saturday and Sunday for ages 5 to 12, and July 24 to 27 for ages 13 and older. Both sessions are 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

For ages 5 to 12, the fees are $40 for individuals and $30 each for groups of 10 or more. For the older participants, fees are $75 for individuals and $60 apiece for groups of 15 or more.

The Pacific Athletic Alliance is accepting monetary donations that will be used to subsidize those who cannot afford the fees.

For information on the camp, donation procedure or credit card options, call Doris Sullivan at 261-5000 or log on to www.PacificAthleticAlliance.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.