Filling a need for speedy defensive backs, the University of Hawai'i football team gobbled up cornerback Chris "Pacman" Camacho of Citrus College in Azusa, Calif.

Camacho said he made his commitment during last night's dinner with UH coach June Jones and assistant coaches Vantz Singletary, Ron Lee, Cal Lee and Mouse Davis. Camacho said his host, defensive back Desmond Thomas, helped influence his decision.

"Desmond showed me Hawai'i," Camacho said. "I loved it. These are great guys, and I want to be a part of Hawai'i."

Camacho, who is 5 feet 10 and 190 pounds, said he can run 40 yards in 4.48 seconds and 100 meters in 10.8 seconds. He said he is of Puerto Rican and Mexican ancestry.

As a senior at Ramona High School in Riverside, Calif., Camacho once amassed 338 receiving yards in a game.

As a sophomore at Citrus this year, where he was named to the all-conference team, Camacho made 79 tackles and intercepted two passes.

Camacho said he also received offers from Nevada and New Mexico. His twin brother, a running back, will sign with Purdue. UH and Purdue will meet during the 2006 season.

"I can't wait for that," said Camacho, who will have three years to play two seasons.

Camacho said he earned his unique nickname during a practice session. "Some dude broke loose, and I caught up to him," Camacho recalled. "My friend said you're just like the Pacman game."

Camacho said he spends his free time playing Xbox games, such as Halo 2.

"I have a surfboard, but I've never surfed before," Camacho said. "Maybe I'll get a chance out here. I want to camp out here, too. I want to see the waterfalls."

Camacho is the fifth player to verbally commit to UH since the end of the 2005 season. The others are quarterback Stanford Leti and linebacker Quinton Tang of Moanalua High School, wide receiver Carroll Joseph "C.J." Hawthorne of Mississippi Gulf Coast College and defensive end David Veikune of Fresno City College)

UH also is reserving scholarships for five "gray shirts" — recruits who committed last spring but will enroll at UH in 2006.

Meanwhile, defensive end Elliott Purcell of Saint Louis School might not be heading to New Mexico State.

Last week, Purcell told reporters he had made a "strong" verbal commitment to play for the Aggies. But Purcell, who is on a UH recruiting trip that ends today, said he might change his mind.

"I'm thinking about it," said Purcell, noting he is mulling a scholarship offer from UH. "It's a matter of me making a decision. I like the (UH) players, the campus, everything. I'm thinking about UH now. Hawai'i is home. Nothing can beat Hawai'i."

Purcell is related to UH defensive end Melila Purcell III, offensive linemen Samson Satele and Hercules Satele, and running back Nate Ilaoa.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.