It is the University of Hawai'i football team's belief that talent is relative.

At least when it involves the Keli'ikipi family from Wai'anae.

Yesterday, the Warriors received a verbal commitment from Wade Keli'ikipi, an imposing defensive tackle from Wai'anae High and the younger brother of former UH running back West Keli'ikipi.

Wade Keli'ikipi has made a name for himself as a punishing interior defensive lineman. Keli'ikipi, who is 6 feet 4 and 273 pounds, projects to play at 290 pounds, his weight at the start of the 2008 season.

"I guess I lost some weight," he said.

He certainly did not sustain any loss in strength. Keli'ikipi can bench press a maximum 405 pounds.

He also can bench 225 pounds 30 times.

What's more, he is capable of running 40 yards in 5.0 seconds.

By committing to the Warriors, Keli'ikipi is turning down an offer from Oregon.

"It's close to home," he said of his college choice. "I want to play in front of my family."

Keli'ikipi said his brother, a bruising 280-pound running back for the Warriors, was influential in his decision.

"He helps me out a lot," Keli'ikipi said. "Right now he's training me. He's helping to work on my speed."

Keli'ikipi also said he is a long-time Warrior fan.

"I went to a lot of games," he said.

He said he learned of the Warriors' interest at the end of his junior year.

"They were my first choice," he said.

Keli'ikipi said he began playing organized football when he was 7. But that early career lasted for only two years. He was too heavy to compete in Pop Warner.

"I had to wait until high school," he said.

At Wai'anae, he became a dominant defensive lineman. His skills are evident on a well-produced highlight video. Not only is he the star of the video, he also is the producer and director.

Keli'ikipi is a member of Searider Productions, Wai'anae High's award-winning video program.

His role is to edit footage that will be used for public service announcements or short documentaries.

He recently took part in a project in which Searider Productions shot and edited a documentary in one day.

"It came out nice," he said of the video, which still has not aired.

He said the school hopes to enter the video in a competition.

It was three years ago, he said, when he enrolled in his first communications class.

"I really liked it," Keli'ikipi said.

He said he aspires to major in business administration or digital media.

In his rare spare time, Keli'ikipi and his brother go free diving off the Wai'anae coast. "We shoot fish," he said. "It's kind of fun. I'm glad I'm staying home. I'm glad UH is giving me a full ride."

AUSTIN LEADS SCOUT WIN

A 280-pound "Snowflake" was a running back.

The man who KO'd Jose Canseco in a celebrity boxing match was in attendance.

It only made sense that quarterback Shane Austin would finally win a Scout Bowl.

"It was fun game," head coach Greg McMackin said of the scrimmage featuring redshirts and developing players.

The Warriors were able to experiment. Offensive lineman Nate "Snowflake" McKay was used as a blocking back.

Steele Jantz played quarterback and tight end. He was camouflaged, wearing a green jersey — the color of the defense. Unfortunately, he did not wear any leg or knee pads. After a catch, he was drilled. He fumbled, then hobbled to the sideline.

Wideout Joe Avery made the winning catch in overtime, breaking a 12-all tie and giving Austin his first victory in three Scout Bowl starts.

Other highlights included Dustin Blount's circuitous 6-yard run for a first down after it appeared he would be stopped for a 3-yard loss. "That's something I did in JC," he said.

Matt Kiel, a wideout playing slotback, caught a 34-yard pass to set up Austin's game-tying 1-yard run. Kiel enrolled at UH with the intent of playing both volleyball and football.

"We had to pick one (sport) at this time," said Kiel, who still would like to play volleyball in the future.

The event ended with Vai Sikahema's pep talk. Sikahema was an All-Pro player and former teammate of UH associate head coach Rich Miano. Sikahema defeated Canseco in a celebrity boxing match.