Waipahu High School senior Castro Masaniai has made a verbal commitment to play football for Oregon State University next season, according to Waipahu coach Sean Saturnio.

Masaniai, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound offensive/defensive lineman, visited OSU's campus in Corvallis this past weekend and accepted the Beavers' scholarship offer Monday night, Saturnio said.

"He enjoyed his visit, the whole experience top-to-bottom, and was really swayed by it," Saturnio said.

Masaniai also received an offer from New Mexico State and was scheduled to leave on Thursday for an official recruiting visit there, but he canceled the trip Tuesday.

Masaniai was named to the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's White Conference All-Star first team on both offense and defense this past season.

He helped the Marauders win the OIA White championship, the school's first league football title of any kind since 1971. Saturnio said Oregon State projects him to play defensive line for now.

"But they like his versatility," Saturnio said.

Masaniai is believed to be the first Marauder in at least 30 years to go directly to a Pac-10 Conference program.

"It gives all our kids hope," Saturnio said. "It's a source of inspiration not just for our program, but also for the school and whole community."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.