Saint Louis senior linebacker Jared Silva said yesterday he has accepted a football scholarship offer to co-Western Athletic Conference champion and Hawai'i Bowl winner Nevada.

Silva, an Advertiser All-State second-team selection, took an official recruiting visit to the Reno, Nev., campus over the weekend. He returned Sunday, but didn't get the offer until Nevada called early yesterday morning.

"They said I have a chance (to start), but I have to go up early (for summer training)," Silva said.

He added he likes the future of the program because the school was upgrading its facilities when he was there.

"He's such a hard worker," Saint Louis football coach Delbert Tengan said. "He'll do whatever it takes to not only make himself better, but whatever it takes to help the team."

The first day high school players may sign binding national letters of intent is Feb. 1.