The Hawai'i football team filled a pressing need yesterday, securing a commitment from a highly regarded defensive end.

The Warriors were undermanned at that position in the past game.

When jokingly asked if he would be ready for the Warriors' next game, Siaki Cravens said: "No, not this weekend. But I'm definitely going to be a Warrior next season."

Cravens, who said he is 6 feet 3 and 240 pounds, signed with Utah in February 2008. He redshirted last season.

After the spring semester, he decided to transfer. He currently is enrolled at Long Beach City College.

He will join the Warriors in January, and have three years to play two seasons.

"I can't wait," Cravens said. "I made my decisions, and I told (the UH coaches) that."

Cravens drew interest from USC and UCLA.

But he said he felt an immediate connection with the Warrior coaches.

"During the process, I've had a lot of conversations with the Hawai'i coaches," Cravens said. "They've been straight up with me. I was real comfortable talking with them."

Cravens has not taken a recruiting visit to Hawai'i yet.

"When I do, I'm sure it'll be good," he said.

Cravens is capable of bench pressing 385 pounds.

He can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds, and complete the pro-agility shuttle in 4.2 seconds.

His vertical jump is 33 inches.

Cravens was used mostly as a receiver at Temecula Valley (Calif.) High. At Utah, he moved to defense.

"In high school, I was about 220," he sad. "Now I'm about 240."

He said he feels better suited to play on defense.

"That's another reason I chose Hawai'i," Cravens said. "They're known for their defensive linemen. With me playing d-end, it's the perfect place for me to go."

In the past five NFL drafts, four UH defensive linemen were selected, including defensive ends Travis LaBoy, Ikaika Alama-Francis, Melila Purcell III and David Veikune.