Beating the holiday rush, the University of Hawai'i football team yesterday picked up commitments from two recruits.

Quarterback Stanford Leti and linebacker Quinton Tang of Moanalua High School told The Advertiser they accepted offers of football scholarships from UH.

"I want to go there because they're winners," said Leti, who moved from San Diego in 2002. Leti is 6 feet and 190 pounds.

"He looks like he has 2 percent body fat," Moanalua coach Arnold Martinez said. "We call him 'Mr. Hawaiian Islands.' "

In the Division II semifinals against Iolani, Leti played quarterback, running back and slotback on offense, safety on defense, and was on special teams.

At UH, Leti said, "I'll play anything they want me to play — safety, receiver, whatever."

Leti also drew interest from Washington, Boise State, Colorado and Michigan State. "I want to stay here," he said. "It's laid back."

Tang, who is 5 feet 11 and 225 pounds, was named the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year for the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's White Division. Although he can play fullback, Tang was at his best as Moanalua's middle linebacker.

Tang said he chose UH because he wanted to play in front of his family and friends. He said he received an offer from Washington.

Leti and Tang participated in the USC Nike Combine in April. Leti ran 40 yards in 4.62 seconds, and bench-pressed 185 pounds 23 times. Tang ran 40 yards in 4.76 seconds and benched 185 pounds 21 times.

Martinez said both were leaders. As the quarterback in Moanalua's triple-option offense, "Stan was 'Mr. Big Play,' " Martinez said. "Sometimes he'll tell me before he makes a play. He'll say, 'I've got a play for you right here.' It could be a 55-yard run. He'll run right by me and say, 'I got you.' He's one of those guys. He's a magical guy."

Martinez said he used to craft situational roles at safety for Leti. "If you get him in eight reps, he'll make four tackles and tip a ball," Martinez said. "If we played him strictly at safety, he might be one of the best safeties in the country. But we needed him to run our offense."

Martinez said Tang, as the middle linebacker, made all of the on-field defensive adjustments. "I could raise my eyebrow, and he knew what to call," Martinez said. "He can coordinate the defense."

Martinez said Leti and Tang were diligent in studying football videotapes, even during the offseason.

"They're great kids," Martinez said. "I've coached for 15 years, and as people, they're right up there. I've been blessed to coach them. They're awesome guys. And they like to have fun."

Martinez and his 4-year-old daughter attended UH's game against San Diego State on Saturday. "She said, 'Papa, that's Stanford,' " Martinez recalled. "I knew recruits have tickets. She said, 'No, he's on the field.' I look down there, and he's got his shirt off and he's drumming with Vili the Warrior. He's just fun."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.