One of the state's top pass-rushers has accepted a football scholarship from the University of Hawai'i.

Chad Lopati, a defensive end from Kapolei High School, made his verbal commitment yesterday.

"He's very happy (about the decision)," said Paepaefoa Saili, Lopati's mother.

In committing to UH, Lopati is turning down offers from UCLA, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, Colorado, Michigan State, Brigham Young, Utah, Boise State and Fresno State.

"Even Auburn came down," Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said.

But Hernandez said Lopati is "a real local boy. He loves Hawai'i."

Hernandez said Lopati's uncle — former UH running back Keith "Junior" Lopati — was influential in the decision.

Hernandez said he sees similarities between Lopati and former UH defensive lineman Falaniko "Niko" Noga. Hernandez and Noga's brother, Al Noga, were UH teammates.

"I know Niko Noga," Hernandez said. "This might be real high praise, but I would have to compare (Lopati) to Niko Noga. He has similar explosiveness, and a lot of natural strength and agility."

Hernandez said Lopati also is used as a tight end and running back in short-yard situations, and is capable of punting and place-kicking.

"He can play every position," Hernandez said. "He can throw the football, too."

As a sophomore in 2006, Lopati was 6 feet 1 and 210 pounds.

"We knew early on he was one of the fastest on the team," Hernandez said. "We knew he had Division I talent. He had a tremendous year for us."

Last year, at 6 feet 2 and 235 pounds, Lopati played defensive end, finishing with 12 sacks and 14 tackles for losses.

This season, Lopati suffered a torn meniscus in a non-league game against Kamehameha.

He missed three games. But he still finished with 12 sacks in six games.

Lopati, who now weighs 245 pounds, can bench press 365 pounds and squat 495.

At a combine at Baylor University, he ran 40 yards in 4.6 seconds.

"He was running rings around the o-linemen," Hernandez said. "He was unblockable. ... For his size, he's really fast. He's athletic, too."

In Kapolei's practices, Lopati would go against Stan Hasiak, a highly recruited offensive lineman. Hasiak made a verbal commitment to UCLA.

"The only guy Stan had a hard time blocking was Chad," Hernandez said. Scouts saw videos "and they said, 'Who's this guy?' "

Saili said her son always had a passion for football. Asked to describe her son, she said: "Humble. He's very big, but he's very humble. He cares about others."

That description mirrored Hernandez's assessment of Lopati.

"He is very humble," Hernandez said. "When he was getting all of those offers, he looked at me and raised one of his eyebrows: 'These schools really want me?' I said, 'Yes, Chad, you're doing great.' He said, 'Wow.'

"He's a super soft-spoken, nice kid," Hernandez said. "I know everybody says that, but he really is that. He really is a nice kid. He's very unassuming. He mixes well with his classmates. You'd never look at him and think he's the star of the team. He is humble."

Hernandez said Lopati is projected to play middle linebacker at UH "because of his size and speed. But he can play outside 'backer, too. He can play all of the linebacker positions."