Gene Pryor, an avid backpacker, is preparing for a two-season adventure in paradise.
Pryor, an offensive lineman from College of the Sequoias (Visalia, Calif.), told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he has accepted a scholarship offer from the Hawaii football team. He will put his commitment in writing on Feb. 7, the first day of the NCAA’s spring-semester signing period for football prospects.
“It’s a great fit,” said Pryor, who visited Hawaii this past weekend. The trip “was amazing. I felt like I was at home. Coach (Nick Rolovich) and the whole staff treated me like I was one of their own.”
Pryor was a standout lineman at Mount Whitney High in Visalia. But he did not meet the eligibility requirements to play as an NCAA freshman and instead enrolled at the junior college.
Pryor will earn his associate’s degree this summer and then will have three years to play two UH seasons.
“It was just a drive and the motivation to get out and keep myself on track … to graduate and achieve my goals,” Pryor said.
Pryor said he is 6 feet 3 and 312 pounds. He can dunk a basketball. “It takes a little bit of momentum,” he said, “but it’s cool to get up there for a big guy.”
Pryor played guard and tackle for the Giants. He said he is willing to compete at any of the five positions on the offensive line.
“I’m flexible,” he said. “Whatever they need me to play, I’ll play.”
Pryor said he honed his skills through workouts, coaches’ instructions and watching videos of NFL linemen Kelechi Osemele of the Oakland Raiders, Marshal Yanda of the Baltimore Ravens and Brandon Scherff of the Washington Redskins.
“They seem like tough, fundamental players,” Pryor said.
The Rainbow Warriors are restocking the offensive line. Last year’s left-side starters — tackle Dejon Allen and guard John Wa‘a — completed their UH eligibility at the end of the 2017 season. Freshman Brandon Kipper announced on Twitter he will transfer.
Offensive lineman Ilm Manning and Kohi Levao signed with the Warriors in December. Last week, Thomas Wade confirmed he will sign with UH on Feb. 7.
