The latest University of Hawai'i football recruit's future is up in the air.

Way up, according to recent performances.

"He's the top punter I've seen nationally," Rick Sang said of Alex Dunnachie, who has accepted a football scholarship from the Warriors.

Sang is co-founder of the Ray Guy Academy for punters, kickers and long-snappers. Dunnachie, who is from Australia, has participated in two of Sang's camps.

"He's going to be a great one," Sang said. "He has natural power. He looks like a college tight end."

Dunnachie, who is 6 feet 2 and 220 pounds, said he can "consistently hit it 65, 70 yards."

Sang said Dunnachie has had several punts with hang times in excess of 5 seconds.

"That's amazing for an 18-year-old," Sang said. "He's got raw power."

Dunnachie said he has never played American football. But he has played Australian rules football, which emphasizes kicking, since he was 5.

"We kick it end over end, back spin, spirals," Dunnachie said.

Sang said Australian punters can "do a lot more than American kids. It's like Tiger Woods and golf. They learn punting at 5 years old. If you're gifted with talent, you're blessed with the opportunity to train early."

Dunnachie played for a club and Marcellin College, which is a secondary school in Victoria.

The father of Dunnachie's girlfriend received a brochure for a punting academy run by Nathan Chapman in Australia. Dunnachie enrolled in Chapman's program.

Chapman then recommended Dunnachie to Sang. Dunnachie competed in the Ray Guy camp in Las Vegas. He currently is attending the camp in Walnut Creek, Calif.

"Nathan is one of our former campers," Sang said. "He formed a program in Australia to identify talented punters. It's a joint venture. Nathan told me about him."

While other schools have had an interest, Dunnachie said: "I've always been one-tracked on Hawai'i. I can't pass up this opportunity. It's unbelievable."

Dunnachie, who completed his UH recruiting visit Friday, made his commitment yesterday.

Dunnachie described Hawai'i as being "paradise."

"I'm not much of a surfer, but I love the water," Dunnachie said. "I'm pretty laid back. Hawai'i is perfect for me."

Dunnachie earned his diploma from Marcellin in November. He said he met with UH officials, and believes he has met the requirements to play for the Warriors this year.

Dunnachie and St. John Lessary, a Kahuku High senior who will join UH as a walk-on, will be the only two punters on the Warriors' 2009 roster. Tim Grasso completed his eligibility at the end of the 2009 Hawai'i Bowl.

UH has one available scholarship for a newcomer.