All-State safety Keala Santiago received a scholarship offer from the University of Hawaii on Sunday afternoon.
The 6-foot, 180-pound junior had just completed the GPA Maximum Exposure Camp on the campus of UH when Coach Norm Chow made the offer.
“He talked about the opportunity to play for UH,” Santiago texted on Monday morning.
Santiago is a blazer who was one of Kahuku’s big-play returners on special teams last season. He also has offers from Colorado, Navy, Army and UNLV. Colorado was the first to offer and also brought five members of its program, including four coaches, to the camp. Navy is coached by former Radford and UH quarterback Kenny Niumatalolo. Army’s connection is former Waipahu coach Sean Saturnio, who is now an assistant coach there.
CU, Navy and Army offered during the fall. UNLV made its approach in early March.
“I’m just open minded about it right now,” Santiago texted. “I’m kind of just waiting and I know the time will come soon.”
His father, Louis, and uncle, Walter, played for UH in the 1980s.
Keala Santiago will take advantage of opportunities that weren’t available back in the day. He plans to participate in the All-Poly, Oregon State and USC camps this summer.
Geez! About time Hawaii offered.