For Hawai'i football player Elliott Purcell, competing for a starting job at defensive end pales in comparison to the challenge he faced when he began dating Keani Santos three years ago.

Purcell is a Saint Louis School alumnus.

"My dad and mom both graduated from Kamehameha," said Santos, who also is an alumna of the Kapalama campus. "My sister just married a Saint Louis (graduate), and I'm dating one."

What's more, Santos' father, Rob Santos, used to coach at Kamehameha.

"There's that love-hate relationship," she said, smiling. "There's the constant battle in the house about Saint Louis and Kamehameha."

To be sure, Purcell and Santos have a strong relationship. They are parents to 1 1/2-year-old Taimane, which means "diamond" in Samoan.

"She wanted a Polynesian name, and she likes diamonds," Purcell said. "That's how she picked the name."

During the football season and spring training, Purcell lives in the dormitory. Santos and their son live with her parents in 'Aiea. But they see each other every day, and Santos, who is a full-time UH student, attends every practice. Often she brings Taimane.

"It feels good to look into the stands and see them there," Purcell said. "It makes me so happy to see my son."

Santos said: "Our son loves to come to football practice. He loves to run around, and after practice, he loves to put on Elliott's helmet."

Two years ago, the responsibility of football, school and impending fatherhood were overwhelming for Purcell. He contemplated quitting football.

"I didn't know how to handle it," said Purcell, who sought advice from coach Greg McMackin. "He gave me good advice. Coach (George) Lumpkin helped me, too. Just because you have a kid doesn't mean you have to change your career or quit school."

Purcell quit partying, and focused on his family.

"Becoming a father makes you more mature," Purcell said. "That really helps you on the field."

Purcell, who is 6 feet 3, weighed 215 as a UH freshman. Now, the fourth-year junior weighs 257 and is the No. 1 defensive left end.

"It's mine to lose," Purcell said. "As long as I trust my technique and work hard, I should be OK."

Purcell is ready to make another long-term commitment.

"Hopefully, one day we'll get married," he said. "I really want to marry her."

WALKER MOVING UP

During his recruiting visit in January 2008, cornerback Lewis Walker experienced a memorable pitch: a parade.

The Parade of Champions was in celebration of the Warriors' appearance in the 2008 Sugar Bowl.

"It was the day after I got here," said Walker, a graduate of Salt Lake City's Judge Memorial High. "It was crazy seeing everyone. It almost seemed like the whole island was there. The atmosphere was crazy."

That night, Walker made a verbal commitment to accept a UH scholarship.

Walker lived in California before moving to Utah at the end of his freshman year.

"I wanted to go to a school out of state to see what kind of man I was going to be," Walker said. "Being away from your family and close friends, you can find your true self."

Walker, who redshirted last season, was the No. 1 right cornerback yesterday, filling in for Jeramy Bryant, who had to take a test. Walker is developing into a capable technician and cover defender.

He also is expanding his interests. He said he enjoys eating manapua.

He also is learning to spear fish and surf. Linebacker Paipai Falemalu recently took Walker to the North Shore to jump off La'ie Point.

"He did a really good job," Falemalu said. "He wasn't scared at all."

Walker said: "Looking down from there, you can see the rocks. But it's not that shallow. You have to gather yourself before you jump, wait for the waves to come in and give you a little more cushion. I did a little twist flip. It was pretty fun."

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