The Hawaii football team capped one of its best recruiting classes in recent years with a commitment from a highly regarded linebacker.
Darzil Washington, who signed with Texas A&M two years ago, has decided to play for the Warriors in 2013. He will sign a letter of intent Wednesday, the first day recruits may put their commitments in writing.
Washington, who is 6 feet 3 and 230 pounds, did not meet the requirements to play for the Aggies. Instead, he attended Eastern Arizona College the past two years.
He will have three years to play three UH seasons.
Washington was a top linebacker at West Saint John High in Louisiana. He amassed 123 tackles and 14 sacks as a senior in 2010.
The Warriors have room for three more prospects entering Wednesday’s start of the signing period. But they already have made checks on their wish list.
The Warriors sought running backs, receivers, linemen, linebackers and a cornerback. Mike Edwards, their shut-down corner in 2012, has applied for the 2013 NFL Draft and will not return to UH for his senior season.
Barry Higdon, a corner from Florida, said he will sign with UH. The Warriors reportedly are in contention for another Florida corner.
The Warriors received commitments from two running backs — speedy Diocemy Saint-Juste of Florida and Kahuku High’s Aofaga Wily, the second-most prolific rusher in Hawaii high school football history.
Five receivers — three of whom are 6-3 or taller — pledged to the Warriors.
Washington is the seventh linebacker recruit.
Offensive lineman David Griffin, tight end Josh Long, linebackers Julian Gener and Tevita Lataimua, and receiver Vasquez Haynes signed letters of intent with UH in December. Griffin, Long and Gener are enrolled in school and, as mid-year transfers, will count toward the 2012 class. Lataimua and Haynes still need to earn additional credits at their junior colleges and won’t join the Warriors until June. They count toward the 2013 class.
Dejon Allen, a lineman who signed with UH in February 2012, recently met the NCAA eligibility requirements. He is not enrolled at UH this semester. He does not have to sign another letter, but he now will count toward the 2013 class.
Two of the recruits are expected to grayshirt, meaning they won’t join the Warriors until January 2014, and another is expected to go on a two-year church mission.
By mutual agreement, the Warriors no longer are recruiting defensive end Charles Tuaau, a Leilehua High graduate who played the past two seasons at Riverside (Calif.) College.
