Castle High School senior Solomon Koehler announced on national TV yesterday that he has made a verbal commitment to play football for the University of Arizona next season.

Koehler, a 6-foot-2, 315-pound offensive/defensive lineman, reportedly turned down offers from Oregon State, Hawai'i, Oregon and Arizona State.

An Advertiser All-State first-team selection at defensive line, he is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 1 college prospect in Hawai'i. Rivals.com also ranks him No. 2 among Arizona's 22 recruits who have verbally committed so far.

The national scouting service ranks Koehler as the nation's No. 6 offensive guard prospect.

Koehler participated in the Army All-American Bowl high school all-star game yesterday in San Antonio. During the fourth quarter, he was brought to a sideline table with three baseball caps on it — with logos of Arizona, Oregon State and Hawai'i. After an NBC reporter asked him where he was committing to, Koehler picked up the Arizona cap and put it on.

"I'm going to Arizona, I'm going to be a Wildcat for coach (Mike) Stoops," Koehler said. "It wasn't (easy), but I'm glad where I'm going, it's going to be a good place for me."

Castle coach Nelson Maeda said Koehler still needs an NCAA qualifying score on his SAT to be eligible to play.

"He's close," said Maeda, who accompanied Koehler to the game in San Antonio. "He just needs a few more points on his SAT, and then with his GPA he should qualify."

Maeda said Koehler started the Army All-American Bowl at defensive tackle and alternated with other players at the position throughout the game.

"He more than held his own, against some of the top-notch, best players in the nation," Maeda said.