Feature article on Corey Nielsen

LBPT = Long Beach Press-Telegram

About how he knew that he'd found the right college for him when he attended the UH Football Skills Camp last week, Corey said:
"It was just like going home. It was an easy decision." (LBPT)

LBPT Note: "Gahr High quarterback Corey Nielsen didn't have to choose the University of Hawaii. He had scholarship offers from Arizona, Idaho and UNLV as well. And with a 4.0 GPA, Nielsen was giving a few Ivy League schools a look."

LBPT Note: "Nielsen said new Hawaii coach Greg McMackin offered him a scholarship last Tuesday and Nielsen accepted Wednesday. Nielsen, who will begin his senior season at Gahr in September, threw for a state-leading 4,363 yards and 35 touchdowns with just five interceptions last season. He was selected MVP of the San Gabriel Valley League and was an All-CIF first-team pick. Hawaii had a bit of a head start in the recruitment of Nielsen. The youngster has made many trips to the islands to visit a large extended family in Oahu, and he's been a Hawaii fan since the early years of record-setting quarterback Timmy Chang."

LBPT Note: "The fact that McMackin has no plans to scrap Hawaii's pass-happy offense - former coach June Jones left to take over at Southern Methodist in January - didn't hurt, either."

About how his offense in high school is similar to the run-and-shoot, Corey said:
"(The run-and-shoot) is really similar to our offense at Gahr." (LBPT)

About how UH primarily using the shotgun will help the 5'11" QB, Corey said:
"I'm not the typical 6-3, 6-4 quarterback." (LBPT)

LBPT Note: "By committing early, Nielsen hopes he can focus solely on his senior prep season. Gahr made huge strides in 2007 with a second-place finish in the SGVL, a CIF-SS Western Division semifinal appearance and a school-record 10 wins."

About how committing to UH early makes things easier for his senior season, Corey said:
"(Committing early) makes my life easier. Now I won't have to worry about what's happening (in recruiting next season)." (LBPT)