Roland Merrill '17 Recruiting Profile

I like football because it was a sport I picked up during the summer for fun. I started playing for a small flag football team really enjoyed it. It was all skill positions all the time. I developed my route running and defensive maneuvers. I have been playing wide receiver, corner back and safety.  I also am the punter due to my soccer background.  In my junior year I received honorable mention. The feeling of doing my assignments, hitting people and making plays is what I find most enjoyable about football.

My goal is to be able to afford to live in Hawaii without having to rely on my parents. I like Hawaii because it is where I grew up and where I want to be. I love the beach, the weather, and the people.  I enjoy spending time at the beach, swimming, surfing, and hiking. I love the consistent weather and the friendly people. Another quality I enjoy about Hawaii is how you’re never too far from anything, whether it’s a shopping center, the beach, or a hiking site. I like the feeling of the me being surrounded by ocean when I’m on the island.

I want to go to college because it will allow me to continue playing football.  There is only one football team in Hawaii after high school and that is the University of Hawaii. UH have to travel to California to compete.  My football skills are much better than my academic skills primarily because I like playing football more than I like studying.  That will change the older I get.  College is a bridge to a professional career, hopefully playing football, but at the minimum allows me to live in Hawaii when I am older.