The best offensive lineman from the best junior college team in California will join the University of Hawaii football team.
Emil Graves Jr. of Fullerton College said he will sign with the Rainbow Warriors on Feb. 1, the first day recruits may put their commitments in writing. He will earn an associate degree in May, an eligibility requirement to transferring, and will enroll at UH on May 22 for the start of Summer Session I. He will have three years to play two UH seasons.
Graves is 6 feet 3, 286 pounds and capable of playing every position on the offensive line. Two 2016 starting offensive linemen — Leo Koloamatangi and RJ Hollis — completed their UH eligibility at the end of the Hawaii Bowl.
Graves, who also received mild interest from UCLA, said he based his decision on UH’s “overall atmosphere. … I feel that the bond the players have you don’t get anywhere else. You get the family feel. Everyone is committed and buying into the program. That’s something I want to be a part of.”
Fullerton won the California Community College Athletic Association’s 2016 football title, which is regarded as a national championship. Sixty-nine CCCAA teams compete in football. Graves was named to the All-California Region IV first team. Graves “will win the award as the best lineman on our team,” said Phil Austin, Fullerton’s associate head coach and a former UH defensive back.
Graves was injured as a Los Alamitos (Calif.) High junior, and did not receive widespread offers despite a strong senior season. He decided to hone his skills at Fullerton.
“When he first came in, he was undersized,” Austin said. “He put in the work.”
Graves played right tackle in 2015 and in the first three games this season. When Fullerton’s left guard suffered an injury, it set off a double switch in which Graves started at right guard the remainder of the season. He also got some work at center.
“He’ll be a good get,” Austin said. “He’s somebody you can plug into a position you need. … He’s a leader on the team. Emil hangs out in my office all lunch. He eats lunch with us. He’s like one of the coaching staff. He’s a great kid. Everyone loves him. I’m proud to have him as one of the Warriors.”
Fullerton’s offense — run/pass option, spread and power — shares many of the same concepts as the Warriors’ hybrid attack.