Three Hawai'i high school football players have made verbal agreements to sign with Division I programs.

Defensive linemen Elliott Purcell Jr. of Saint Louis and Kawika Shook of Kamehameha have verbally committed to New Mexico State, while offensive lineman Walter Kahaiali'i of Kamehameha-Maui will sign with Brigham Young.

Purcell (6-1, 216) and Shook (6-3, 265) made their recruiting visit during the Thanksgiving weekend.

"I went over it with my parents and the best thing for me is go off the island and experience some things," said Purcell, who added Hawai'i made an offer.

"I think his best football is ahead of him," Crusaders coach Delbert Tengan said. "From the beginning of the season until the end, he has improved tremendously."

Shook said NMSU was his only offer.

"They're turning their program around and I just want to be a part of it," Shook said.

Kamehameha-Maui coach Leo Delatori said Kahaiali'i (6-5, 305) chose BYU over Weber State with Oregon also showing interest.

"To me he's real balanced, got good feet," Delatori said. "He was the leader out there with our offensive line, working the unit, making sure everybody was doing their thing."

Kahaiali'i went to three camps during the summer. Delatori added that Kahaiali'i is a good student and is taking some courses at Maui Community College.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.