Matty Kiel chooses to walk on to UH instead of take a scholarship from Nevada!

About turning down Nevada, WR Kiel said:
"Nevada had a great campus, a great football environment. But I never liked Reno. If I'm going to be in a place for three years, why not shoot for the stars and go to the greatest place to vacation?" (Santa Cruz Sentinel)

SCS Note: "Nationally ranked Hawaii also runs a pass-friendly, spread-attack offense, which the program plans to continue despite a coaching change during the heart of recruiting season. Kiel has good hands, leaping ability and balance in the air, said Seahawks coach Bill Garrison. The receiver finished his two-year career at Cabrillo with 66 receptions for 1,263 yards and 20 touchdowns."

SCS Note: "Kiel took an unofficial visit to Hawaii last month with Seahawks assistant Bassel Faltas, who was attending a football clinic on the big island. Kiel spoke with coaches from both the football and men's volleyball teams on his trip. Kiel was the SCCAL MVP in boys volleyball as a senior at SLV. He said he hopes to also play volleyball for the Warriors, but emphasized that playing football is his top priority."

About his plans at UH, Kiel said:
"I'm going to redshirt a year and have a year under my belt. I'm going to train hard and get faster, stronger and bigger." (SCS)

SCS Note: "Newly named Hawaii football head coach Greg McMackin, promoted from within the program after June Jones took the top spot at Southern Methodist, told Kiel he plans to stick with the Warriors' high octane offense. Last year, that offense produced a Heisman Trophy candidate in senior Colt Brennan and garnered the Warriors national attention. Hawaii was second in the nation in passing offense [439 yards per game] and third in total offense [512 ypg] in 2007, when it went 12-1 overall, 8-0 in the Western Athletic Conference."

SCS Note: "Hawaii signed six receivers to scholarships on Feb. 6, the first day to sign national letters of intent. Five of the players -- Craig Bell, Dustin Blount, Ryan Henry, Jovonte Taylor and Mike Tinoco -- are junior college transfers. The sixth receiver, Earvin Sione, played quarterback last season."

Confident he can compete with the recruits UH just signed, Kiel said:
"I've watched their highlights on the Web site. I have confidence I can go out and start just as well as these guys." (SCS)