While his childhood buddy revealed a highly anticipated college football decision that drew national attention yesterday, Punahou School senior Robby Toma suddenly found himself in an unexpected quandary that in some ways might be even more dramatic.

Toma, an Advertiser All-State receiver, made a verbal commitment in October to play for UCLA and was expected to sign a national letter of intent with the Bruins yesterday. But after phone conversations with UCLA coaches Tuesday night and yesterday morning, Toma felt uneasy as he entered the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall's Pikake Room for a Signing Day ceremony with about 50 other recruits.

"When I sat down, I didn't feel like signing," said Toma, who lives in La'ie nearby Punahou linebacker and close friend Manti Te'o, the nation's top linebacker prospect who signed with Notre Dame. "I didn't fax it (to UCLA)."

Notre Dame complicated matters by recently offering Toma a scholarship, and after Hawai'i coach Greg McMackin learned of Toma's indecision yesterday morning, he too made a last-minute scholarship offer.

Toma told The Advertiser late yesterday afternoon that he would discuss the situation further with his parents in the evening and probably announce a decision this morning.

"I have to think about it some more," Toma said. "There's a lot to think about ..."

Toma and Te'o grew up together in La'ie and often carpool to school in the morning. UCLA was one of three finalists on Te'o's list, until Te'o called Bruins coaches Monday to say he was leaning toward Notre Dame and Southern California.

Despite the obvious connection, Toma said yesterday that his and Te'o's decision-making process were independent of each other.

"We said a long time ago that we would make our own decisions," Toma said. "We wouldn't try to (sway) each other."

After the ceremony — as recruits celebrated with their families and one another as their letters of intent were being faxed to the respective schools — Toma talked with his parents and hung out a bit with Te'o and another Punahou teammate Dalton Hilliard, a UCLA commit.

Later, Toma and his parents headed to a nearby Jack-in-the-Box for breakfast.

In the meantime, two of the fax machines at Blaisdell malfunctioned so Signing Day coordinator Doris Sullivan decided to hand-deliver the letters of intent from UH recruits.

Sullivan said that after she gave the letters to McMackin, she told him about Toma's situation.

"I've got to call Robby to tell him UH is going to offer him," Sullivan told The Advertiser late yesterday morning.

Toma said he would consider all three offers last night.