For the University of Hawai'i football team, the call for line talent begins with "808."

The Warriors have secured a commitment from Jordan Loeffler of Hilo High.

Loeffler, who is 6 feet 5 and 265 pounds, can play either on the offensive or defensive line.

Hilo coach Kalani Siliga said Loeffler rotated in as a defensive tackle the past game, but "he's primarily an offensive tackle."

"I'm trying to get stronger, faster and better," Loeffler said, "and see where the (UH) coaches want to put me."

Loeffler received interest from Washington, Idaho, Nevada and Colorado.

But he said his decision was easy.

"I want to be a Warrior," he said. "It's our home state. We've got to back up our home state. It's a good environment. It's a good place to be."

Scouts are intrigued by Loeffler's strength, agility and, most of all, potential. Although he is 16 years old, he is in Hilo's senior class and will graduate in June.

"I'm actually supposed to be a junior this year," Loeffler said. "I was born late. My parents didn't do that. They moved me up a year early. I'm technically a junior, but I'm a senior."

Siliga said Loeffler has a "big frame that he's still growing into. At the next level, I'm pretty sure the coaches will fill him out."

Loeffler's best time in the 40-yard dash is 4.9 seconds, although he regularly runs 5.0 seconds.

Loeffler also has competed in basketball and track and field. He finished third in the discus in the 2008 Big Island Interscholastic Federation's championship meet.

He was second in the shot put in the BIIF's 2008 All-Comers meet.

"This year, I'm not going to play basketball," Loeffler said. "I'm going to focus on football."

Loeffler said he did not develop a passion for the sport until the start of his freshman year.

Then, he said, "I started to get involved."

As for his future as a UH player, he said, "I think it would be cool to play at Aloha Stadium, especially in front of all of their fans. I'm looking forward to playing in that stadium."

Loeffler said he was born and raised on the Big Island.

He was not named after Michael Jordan, although "my parents joke about it. My dad said he found (the name) in the Bible. I'm not sure."

Loeffler is expected to meet the NCAA eligibility requirements for an incoming freshman.

When he is not studying, playing football or training, "I like to hang out with my friends," said Loeffler, whose friends refer to him as J-Loff 59. "My friends are very important to me, just like my family. I like to kick back with them, go to movies."

PLAYING BY THE 'RULE'

When UH head coach Greg McMackin was an assistant at Stanford several years ago, the Cardinal had a lead similar to the 24-7 advantage the Warriors had against Louisiana Tech in the third quarter Saturday night. Stanford brought in the reserves, but then lost the lead, and then the game. That led McMackin to come up with his "35-point rule."

He said that is the comfort margin.

McMackin said he would have used backup quarterback Greg Alexander if UH had not been intercepted in the end zone in the second half. A field goal would have made it 27-7.

"He knew I was trying to get him in," McMackin said. "We screwed up and didn't score. Anyway, I just wanted to win the dang game."

As for going with the running game primarily in the third quarter, McMackin said, "We were moving the ball. We were physically getting after them. Our offensive line was getting after their guys. Shoot, we ran for 191 yards. It came out 177 because of sacks. We were moving the ball, and having the clock run, so why not?"

SEEKING CLARIFICATION

McMackin said he will ask the Western Athletic Conference for "clarification" of several calls. He said he is not filing a protest, but "there were several clarifications that I need."