In its quest to reload its defensive secondary, the University of Hawai'i football team found a quick solution.

Kevin Williams, a speedy cornerback from Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, Calif., yesterday accepted a football scholarship from the Warriors.

"Yes, I'm going to be a Warrior," Williams told The Advertiser last night.

Williams, who is 5 feet 10 and 175 pounds, is capable of running 40 yards in under 4.4 seconds.

At the scouting combine at Chabot Junior College this past summer, Williams was timed at 4.34 seconds in the 40. He ran 4.39 at an earlier combine.

He also ran the pro shuttle in 4.01 seconds. And he bench pressed 185 pounds 15 times.

www.Scout.com once gave him a 4-star rating last year.

Williams had received offers from Akron, Arizona, Arizona State, Memphis, Oregon State, Toledo, Utah State and West Virginia.

He actually had given a "soft" verbal commitment to Memphis this past summer.

"But that's nothing," he said. "Hawai'i is where I'm going. I like the program, and I like the coaches, especially coach Rolo."

Williams knew Nick Rolovich, now UH's quarterbacks coach, when he was an assistant coach at City College of San Francisco last year.

Williams has had a circuitous football history.

As a senior at Gibbs High School in Florida in 2006, Williams accepted an offer from South Florida.

Although Williams did well in school, he did not pass the so-called Florida exit test, a comprehensive exam that is administered to all Florida high school seniors.

During the fall of 2006, Williams worked. Although he eventually passed the Florida exam, he opted to play football at a junior college.

It was then that he decided to enroll at City College of San Francisco in January 2007. But Williams found that school and living expenses were expensive for an out-of-state student.

"I couldn't afford it," Williams said.

He then transferred to Los Medanos, whose Pittsburg campus is an hour's drive from San Francisco.

"He's a good guy," CCSF head coach George Rush said.

In 2007, Williams had three interceptions and 27 pass breakups in 10 games. He also had two kick returns for touchdowns.

This season, he has three interceptions, two of which he parlayed into returns for touchdowns. He plays man and zone in the Mustangs' 3-5-3 defensive scheme.

Williams also has played on offense this season. He has six receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown.

He has scored on a rush.

After transferring from CCSF, Williams remained in contact with Rolovich.

"When I found out he went to Hawai'i, I became very interested in Hawai'i," Williams said. "I follow all of the Hawai'i games."

Williams said he would like a chance to play on both offense and defense. Ryan Mouton has had a similar dual role for the Warriors this season.

Williams, according to scouts, has skills that are comparable to Mouton's. Both are about the same build.

Williams said he hopes to be able to inherit Mouton's jersey No. 2. Mouton is a senior.

"I do want No. 2," Williams said. "That was the number I had since Pop Warner. I love that number."

He said he has worn No. 2 every season except his freshman and sophomore years of high school.

"Ever since then, I've worn that," Williams said.

Williams said he expects to earn his associate degree in January. He said he likely will move to Hawai'i next summer.

Williams said he has three years to play two seasons.

Williams said he has few interests other than school, football and his son, 9-month-old Kevin Williams Jr.

"My focus is on school and my family," Williams said.

The Warriors are seeking successors at cornerback to seniors Mouton, Jameel Dowling and Calvin Roberts.

Cornerbacks JoPierre Davis, Chris Black and Jeramy Bryant will be seniors next season. Bryant is seeking a medical hardship that will allow him to extend his UH career through 2010.

In addition to the opportunities at UH, Williams was attracted to other aspects.

"I love their uniforms," Williams said. "They're really different."

And, he said, "I like when they do the (ha'a) dance. I told the coaches, 'I want to learn that.' "