There was only one choice whenever Tavita "Tui" Eli played the NCAA football video game.
"I always picked Hawaii," Eli said.
When it came to choosing a college, Eli’s preference was the same.
"I just verbally committed to the University of Hawaii," said the lineman from Kealakehe High on Sunday.
After completing his recruiting trip this past weekend, Eli notified the UH coaches he was accepting their scholarship offer. Eli will sign on Feb. 5, the first day 2014 recruits may put their commitments in writing.
"I like the campus and the atmosphere and the team," Eli said. "I was only there two days, but it already feels like I’m part of the family. It’s a great school. I love the place."
Eli said he is 6 feet 4 and 290 pounds.
Oregon, Oregon State and Washington State had expressed interest. But he said it was a unanimous family decision to go with UH.
His parents accompanied him on his recruiting visit.
"It meant a lot to see if they liked it," Eli said. "They liked it a lot."
Eli played both sides of the line for the Waveriders. He said he was told he would compete on the offensive line for the Warriors.
Eli is regarded as one of the top line prospects in the state. He also might be one of the most active. In his spare time, he free-dives and hunts.
"We used to hunt deer," Eli said. "Now we just hunt pigs on the Big Island."
Eli attended the Warriors’ 28-21 Retro Night loss to San Diego State this past Saturday. It was the first college football game he attended.
"It was fun," Eli said. "My family really enjoyed it as well."
Now Eli’s family will be attending future UH games.
"It’s going to be good to play in front of my family," Eli said.
@Scoreline1:Chow says Schroeder is still the one
UH coach Norm Chow reaffirmed that Sean Schroeder is the No. 1 quarterback, although there are discussions about crafting a role for Taylor Graham for Saturday’s road game against Wyoming.
"We’ll have to see how it goes this week in practice," Chow said. "Taylor was the guy before. He certainly deserves a chance to play as well."
Graham started the first three games before suffering an injury to his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Ikaika Woolsey started the fourth game, and Schroeder has been the No. 1 quarterback the past six games.
Chow will be monitoring the medical charts this week.
Defensive ends Beau Yap and Tavita Woodard did not play in the second half against San Diego State.
"Beau and Tavita give us a lot of hope they’ll be back (this week)," Chow said.
Guards Ben Dew and Sean Shigematsu also left that game with injuries. Their availability remains in question.
Chow said it appears wideout Keith Kirkwood will not play the rest of this season. He missed the past game because of a spiral fracture in his right hand. The injury did not require surgery. But because his hand is in a hard cast, he cannot grasp footballs.
Read Stephen Tsai’s Warrior Beat at staradvertiser.com/warriorbeat.