2018 California 3-Star ATH Khoury Bethley Gives Insight to Hawaii Verbal Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Featured Photo: Raymond Joyce, Khoury Bethley at an Under Armour Camp

Twitter: @RJPSports

Movements on the football field usually start quietly on the recruiting trail. To the untrained eye, most have overlooked what is going on with the Rainbow Warriors but after two years of stockpiling three-star recruits, Hawaii is building up. The latest commitment from 2018 strong safety/running back Khoury Bethley should send a strong signal to Mountain West Conference teams to start paying attention.

Bethley is the second three-star prospect to join Hawaii’s 2018 class partnering up with Bethel High School (WA) receiver Jarrell Anderson. The 2017 class had nine three-star commits, 10 if one has former Centennial High School running back Miles Reed correctly classified. The 2016 class had seven three-star commits after the 2015 had just four under former head coach Norm Chow. With Nick Rolovich at the helm since Nov. 27, 2015, Hawaii is heading in a different direction capable of adding top athletes like Bethley to their squad.

Bethley worked his way into three-star status during his junior year playing true ironman football. He was a leader on both sides of the football for Don Lugo High School coming up with 90 tackles and a pick at safety and scorched California opposition for 2,089 yards off 239 totes with 27 scores posted on the big board. Eight offers have come Bethley’s way so far; New Mexico, Howard, Montana State, Hawaii, Northern Arizona, UC Davis, Idaho, and Texas-El Paso. But on Tuesday, a phone call to Hawaii’s safeties coach, Coach Jacob Yoro, united emerging talent on the recruiting trail with emerging Mountain West Conference title contender.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Bethley to get the inside scoop on his publicly announced Wednesday verbal commitment to the Rainbow Warriors and all that led up to that moment.

Interview

Khoury, let’s lead into your commitment. How have your off-season workouts gone so far?

“Great, actually. I’ve been doing a lot of weight lifting and speed training. This summer, the team is looking good. We are making great strides. I think we will have a good team this year.”

What has been the focus of your workouts?

“Getting stronger and faster. I’m working on making the cut and bursting out of the cut accelerating forward.”

Did any college coaches come by Don Lugo to meet with you in person or to watch you practice this spring?

“During spring ball, quite a few coaches came by Don Lugo. The whole Pac-12 and Mountain West Conference came by. A couple of Conference USA teams came by too.”

Have you been to any college camps this summer?

“I went to camps at Boise State, San Diego State, and USC.”

Which camp was your best performance?

“The Boise State camp was my best. I won their running back MVP award.”

Hard to argue that being your best camp. What did you do well at that camp to win the MVP honor?

“My work during the drills. I had a really good performance there and during the one-on-ones. I had some great catches against the top linebackers they put me against. I think I won all my one-on-one reps.”

Some of the camps, like the USC camp, had a lot of coaches from other schools in attendance. Which college coaches talked to you during the USC camp?

“Nevada and Colorado State pulled me aside at the USC camp.”

What were the coaches telling you telling you they liked about your skillset?

“They like my size and how well I moved for my size. They also liked that I am a coachable kid.”

You’ve worked your magic on the field and now at a few camps in front of a lot of different college coaches. Before your commitment, where was your overall recruiting interest?

“Hawaii, New Mexico, UTEP, and Montana State were showing the most interest.”

How did your process start to narrow down to Hawaii?

“Honestly, it came down to relationships. I have a great relationship with the whole Hawaii staff and with the players I’ve talked to. They are family orientated. Everyone is close on the team and with the coaching staff. Hawaii has a home feeling.”

Which position did they offer you to play?

“Safety, but I may play some running back too. I’m going there as a safety but I will get some snaps on offense.”

When will you visit Hawaii?

“I might go in July. If not then, I have my official scheduled in September. I think the Western Carolina game is when I am set to take my official visit (Sept. 2).”

When did you commit to Hawaii?

“I committed on Tuesday but announced it yesterday.”

How did you commit, and who did you commit to on their staff?

“I texted Coach Yoro, my position coach who offered me. We were talking, and he talked with my family. I told him I wanted to commit. Then I called the head coach, Coach (Nick) Rolovich, and he talked to me and my family for about 30 minutes.

What all did Coach Rolovich talk to you and your family about during the call?

“He talked about academics, football, and what they expect from me going forward.”

Are you already recruiting players to join you on Hawaii’s roster?

“Yes, sir. I’ve already started. We have a couple of recruits that will be commits coming soon.”

What’s your pitch to the other recruits?

“Hawaii is a program on the rise. They won their bowl game last season (52-35 vs. Middle Tennessee State). They have a new staff, and had a great season last year. Hawaii is a special place. They will do some big things soon to make Hawaii great again like they used to be.”

Did you do anything to celebrate your commitment?

“I went out to dinner with my family.”

Nice. What is your schedule like for the rest of the summer?

“Basically, football practice. We have three more weeks until our dead period. We have a 7v7 tournament at Santa Fe High School coming up. That is the last week of practices before our dead period.”

Is there a game on the 2017 schedule you are pumped to play right now?

“Week 1, I’m ready to get the season going (at Warren). If I had one circled that I am ready for, it would be our rivalry game against Chino (Sept. 22). I think that is Week 4. Last year’s game was a close game. It went back-and-forth but we ended up winning (37-27).”

Khoury, thanks for your time today and, again, congratulations on your commitment to Hawaii.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: 247Sports; Khoury Bethley defends a pass at a USC Trojans camp.