8 hours ago
Hawaii-born 2026 QB Eugenio commits to ‘Bows football
With just 11 weeks remaining until the start of the 2025 University of Hawai'i football season, the 2026 recruiting class is beginning to take shape.
Leading the early wave of commits is Hawai'i-born quarterback Maika Eugenio, who announced his pledge to the Rainbow Warriors over the weekend following an official visit to Mānoa.
Eugenio, a standout at national prep powerhouse Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, is part of a growing pipeline from Gorman to UH. Among those paving the way is former Gorman quarterbacks coach Chad Kapanui, a Roosevelt graduate and former Warrior who now serves on Hawai'i's staff.
'For me, it feels great to be going back home with my family,' Eugenio said. 'I used to live in Hawai'i for about 12 years, and I went to Kamehameha since kindergarten. Just being able to come back, maybe go to college with some of my friends, and play in front of my family, it's a great opportunity and I'm excited.'
Eugenio, said the relationships he's built with key members of the UH program, particularly Kapanui and assistant coach Chris Brown, played a pivotal role in his decision.
'Both Coach Kapanui and Coach Brown were key, key roles in my decision,' Eugenio said. 'The relationship I built with Coach Kapanui at Gorman was big, and being able to go back home and continue that relationship was definitely strong. My dad actually used to coach him when he was at Roosevelt, my dad (Matt) was the defensive coordinator at the time. So it's just kind of great that he's coaching me now. It's crazy.'
Eugenio added that the presence of fellow Bishop Gorman alumni on the current UH roster helped solidify his choice.
'Coach Brown and all the other Gorman players played a big part too,' he said. 'Just being able to be back with them and further my relationship with them is definitely big.'
Eugenio wasn't the only commitment UH landed over the weekend. Gorman teammate Isaiah Nickels, a versatile two-way skill player, and Saint Louis defensive back Jahren Altura also announced their commitments to the Rainbow Warriors.
The trio gives head coach Timmy Chang and his staff an early boost as they look to build momentum heading into the 2025 season.
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