Kearns lineman Gus Lavaka commits to Hawaii

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One of the top remaining uncommitted linemen in the state has elected to follow Norm Chow to Hawaii.

Kearns lineman Gus Lavaka, an all-state selection this year, committed to the Warriors on Sunday after visiting the campus last weekend. He chose Hawaii over Idaho, SUU and several junior college offers.

Lavaka had gotten interest from Utah, BYU and Utah State but no offers. But when Chow took the head coaching job at Hawaii and put an offer on the table, Lavaka couldn't say no.

"My parents wanted me to commit a lot earlier," he said. "I just wanted to see what it was like, and I liked it."

Lavaka was a two-way player for Kearns, but he will be a defensive lineman at Hawaii. At 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, he has the right size to be a Division I lineman.

Lavaka thanked his football coach Bill Cosper and wrestling coach Tyson Linnell for helping him get to a position where he could get a scholarship.

"It's very exciting," he said. "I've waited for this for a long time."

— Kyle Goon

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon