Palo Verde’s Garcia-Williams to sign with Hawaii

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Monday, Jan. 30, 2012 | 7:52 p.m.

Palo Verde High linebacker Jerrol Garcia-Williams verbally committed to the Hawaii football program Sunday after a recruiting trip, picking new coach Norm Chow’s program over scholarship offers from UNLV and San Diego State because Hawaii coaches said he’ll immediately compete for playing time.

He said both UNLV and San Diego State asked him to gray-shirt, meaning he wouldn’t enroll until January 2013. Southern Utah also offered a scholarship, but they don’t play Division I.

“That played a big role in the decision,” Garcia-Williams said about not wanting to gray-shirt.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Garcia-Williams in 2011 was the Northwest Division’s Defensive Player of the Year in leading Palo Verde to the Sunset championship game. He finished with 84 tackles and seven sacks.

Garcia-Williams blossomed late in his high school career and has the frame to add the bulk needed to be productive at the next level.

“He has great upside,” Palo Verde coach Darwin Rost said. “He just needs to keep growing and working hard in the weight room.”

Verbal commitments are non-binding until an athlete signs a national letter of intent. Signing day is Wednesday.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21.