Proving the secondary is a primary focus, the University of Hawai'i football team yesterday secured a commitment from a highly regarded junior college cornerback.

"Hawai'i is my choice," said Lametrius Davis, of Butte College in Oroville, Calif. "I like the coaches, the players and the program. A lot of people think it's because of the scenery, because it's Hawai'i. I didn't make my decision based on the town. I made it based on the program."

Davis is 6 feet and 193 pounds. He said he ran 40 yards in 4.38 seconds at the NorCal Junior College Combine the past summer. He has a 36-inch vertical jump, and can dunk a basketball.

He was named to the All-Combine first team.

He was recruited by Utah, Brigham Young, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, Boise State and UMass.

Davis visited Hawai'i the past weekend — a trip that was meant to prepare him for a game. He attended meetings and video sessions, stayed overnight with the team in Waikiki, and went to the game on a team bus.

"It was like being a regular member of the team," Davis said. "It was fun."

He said he attended the team banquet Sunday night.

He returned to Oroville yesterday morning to help Butte (11-0) prepare for this weekend's championship game against Mount San Antonio College. The winner will be declared a national champion.

It will be a busy weekend for Davis, who will complete his studies necessary for an associate degree.

If all of his credits meet UH's standards, he will enroll at the Manoa school in January. If not, he will move to Hawai'i in May.

"Regardless, I'm going to Hawai'i," he said. "And I'm going to be in shape."

He said his schedule is split between school work and football. During the offseason, he trains five times a week.

He said he will work on three-cone drills and back-pedaling.

"I'm always doing speed drills or lifting weights or watching film," Davis said. "I want to keep improving my football IQ."

Davis played organized basketball from kindergarten through his senior year at Roosevelt High School in Portland, Ore.

He did not pick up football until the eighth grade. But because of an injury, he did not play football as a high school freshman or sophomore.

He returned for his junior season, placing on the Portland Interscholastic League's first team as a cornerback and running back.

He repeated those honors as a senior.

During his Hawai'i visit, Davis bonded with head coach Greg McMackin and senior cornerback Jameel Dowling.

Dowling, who served as Davis' host, is an alumnus of Butte.

"I saw film of (Dowling) when he played at Butte," Davis said. "He had a couple of records at Butte. I didn't really know him, but I knew of him."

Davis also was pleased to learn that McMackin is a fellow Oregonian.

"The coaches are down to earth," Davis said. "I got along with them."

Although Davis has experience at running back and receiver, he is projected to play cornerback for the Warriors.

The Warriors' top three cornerbacks — Ryan Mouton, Calvin Roberts and Dowling — complete their NCAA eligibility after the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl.