During the 2013 season, senior cornerback Tony Grimes was looking for direction. The University of Hawaii football coaches pointed toward the classrooms.

It was decided Grimes would be excused from the final eight games of his senior season to focus on academics. Grimes, who participated in UH’s pro day this past March, remained on scholarship. He even served as a student-assistant during his free time this past season.

The paper chase has ended. On Saturday, Grimes and 23 other former UH football players will participate in the school’s commencement ceremony in the Stan Sheriff Center. This is believed to be the largest class of football graduates for a December ceremony.

"To me," coach Norm Chow said, holding the list of graduates, "this is what it’s all about. People gauge you by wins and losses, I know that. In the long run, deep down, (earning a degree) is what it’s all about."

Defensive tackle Calen Friel will walk — without a limp from two knee surgeries early in his career — as his family’s first college graduate. Friel will bypass his final season of eligibility to move on with his life. He is married with a 3-month-old daughter.

Fullback Dustin Elisara remained on scholarship after accepting a medical hardship following a severe knee injury suffered in April 2012. Elisara, who is married and a father, has met the graduation requirements.

Chow credited academic counselors and tutors; Na Koa booster club for paying for summer school, and predecessor Greg McMackin for developing the academic structure.

"I belive McMackin started all of that," Chow said. "He gets the credit. It’s the truth. We continued on, and put a little more emphasis on attendance."

Borrowing from famed basketball coach Pat Summitt, Chow requires his players to sit in the first five rows of class.

"If you miss class, there’s immediate consequence to pay," Chow said.

If an offensive tackle has a second unexcused absence, the entire offensive line is summoned to report early the next morning. For the next hour, all but one of the linemen have to hold a book over their head for an hour.

"The guy who misses (class), we let him sit down on the couch, relax and watch all the other guys have to do it," Chow said.

Not wanting to further anger teammates, "we don’t have too many repeat offenders," Chow said.

Here are the UH football graduates: Quarterbacks Taylor Graham and Jeremy Higgins; offensive linemen Kody Afusia, Dave Lefotu, Frank Loyd Jr., and Sean Shigematsu; fullbacks Joey Iosefa, Elisara and Marcus Langkilde; tight end Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson; slotback Kana Silva; defensive ends Nick Childs, Marcus Malepeai and Beau Yap; defensive tackle Josh Manupuna; nose tackles Calen Friel and Moses Samia; linebackers TJ Taimatuia; cornerbacks Grimes, Dee Maggitt, and Daniel Masifilo; safety Michael Martin, and kicker Tyler Hadden.