Two highly regarded athletes from two places with strong Hawai'i ties — Las Vegas and American Samoa — have decided to play for the University of Hawai'i football team.

Liloa Nobriga, a linebacker from Palo Verde High in Las Vegas, and Joey Iosefa, a quarterback/defensive back from Faga'itua High in American Samoa, yesterday accepted UH scholarship offers.

"I like everything about the program," said Nobriga, who is 6 feet 3 and 235 pounds. "I like the coaches. I like the players. Everything is great."

Nobriga said he gave a verbal commitment last night. He said he will elaborate on why he made his choice after he meets with his father in Las Vegas tonight.

Nobriga attended 'Iolani School, where he was a second-team Interscholastic League of Honolulu basketball player as a sophomore, before transferring to Palo Verde last year. Nobriga, who played intermediate football at 'Iolani, emerged as a top linebacker, amassing 121 tackles and 11 sacks in 13 games as a junior.

He can run 40 yards in 4.7 seconds, and bench press 185 pounds 18 times.

Iosefa is considered by some scouts as the best all-around high school athlete in American Samoa.

He was named American Samoa's 2007 Offensive Player of the Year in Football.

He also plays basketball, and is an outside hitter in volleyball and a striker in soccer.

Iosefa said he chose UH because "I have a lot of family down here, and it's closer to home."

He added: "I like the (UH) coaches. I was impressed with all of them."

Iosefa lives in American Samoa's Eastern district, a rural area.

"He's from the country," family friend Moana Purcell said. "The country kids are more well-rounded."

Iosefa, it is believed, is one of the first American Samoa high school players recruited as a quarterback.

He said he has been told UH is looking at him as an "athlete," and it will be determined whether he plays quarterback, safety or another position when he participates in training camp next August.

Iosefa is 6 feet 1 and 190 pounds, and he can run 40 yards in 4.6 seconds.

Moana Purcell, whose sons Melila Purcell III and Amani Purcell were UH defensive ends, said Iosefa comes from a good family life. The Purcells were helpful in steering Iosefa to UH.

Iosefa also said he was impressed with the UH coaches who visited American Samoa the past summer. The UH coaches were featured instructors at free clinics as part of a goodwill tour.

Faga'itua coach Suaese "Pooch" Taase, who played at Louisiana Tech, also was instrumental in guiding Iosefa. Taase has helped several American Samoa players prepare academically and athletically for NCAA schools.

While Iosefa's athletic skills have drawn praise, it is his character, Moana Purcell said, that is the "most admirable.

"(Iosefa) is very respectful kid," Moana Purcell said. "He's family-oriented. He's down-to-earth. He's a very good athlete. Just for them to offer and for him to accept is such an honor to his family. He will be the pride to American Samoa."

PLATOONING AT QB

UH head coach Greg McMackin said that he likely will use a two-quarterback platoon for Saturday's road game against Utah State.

McMackin said Inoke Funaki, who has started six of the eight games, and Greg Alexander, who rallied the Warriors to a 38-31 victory over Nevada, will split reps with the No. 1 offense in this week's practice.

Last week, Alexander was the No. 3 quarterback, taking "mental reps," behind Funaki and Tyler Graunke.

McMackin praised the development of Alexander, who has improved in reading defenses and going through his progressions before passing.

"I want to give him a lot of reps, that's for sure," offensive coordinator Ron Lee said. "He made some plays (against Nevada). He made some throws. He ran when he needed to run. He had some great presence in the pocket."

MOUTON CATCHING ON

The Warriors will stick with the experiment of using defensive back Ryan Mouton as a slotback on offense.

"He's an outstanding athlete," McMackin said.

Mouton made five catches against Nevada, including a crucial reception in the game-winning drive.

"He was close to breaking a couple," Lee said. "He adds so much more (to the offense) because of his quickness."

Most of all, Mouton appeared to energize the offense. Right wideout Malcolm Lane, who caught the winning 24-yard scoring pass, and left slotback Michael Washington had their best performances of the year.

"Now we've got some weapons," said Lee, who is hopeful running back/slotback Kealoha Pilares will be available to play this week. Pilares is recovering from a sprained right foot.

JOSH LEONARD OK

Defensive tackle Josh Leonard said he suffered a "minor" spain in his right ankle, and he expects to play against Utah State.

"It's nothing," said Leonard, who suffered the injury when a Nevada player fell on his ankle.