Luke Weaver is having a rough time adjusting to life in paradise.
“I still think to myself how surreal it is walking outside to go to school in Hawaii,” the 2022 East Union High graduate said. “It’s pretty bizarre, but I’m appreciative with the opportunity they’ve given me. This is something I’ve been working toward since I was 8 years old. I’m just soaking it in.”
After two-plus standout seasons with the Modesto Junior College football team, Weaver is settling in during his second week at the University of Hawai’i. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound dual-threat quarterback committed to the Western Athletic Conference school two days after Christmas, and on Jan. 6, the Weaver family invited friends and teammates to join them at United Lutheran Church and celebrate his signing.
His life since has been a little hectic. Considering the time lost on the gridiron because of the coronavirus pandemic and a hip injury, Weaver has taken this version of “adversity” in stride.
His junior campaign at East Union was truncated, as high school sports returned to action from the lockdown in the spring of 2020. Then, as a true freshman at MJC, Weaver dislocated his hip three games in and sat out the remainder of the season as a medical redshirt. The following months of physical therapy were grueling.
“It was tough, especially when I’m working hard to get attention and offers (from four-year universities),” Weaver said. “But everything happens on God’s time and God’s plan. The injury gave me a chance to sit back and appreciate the game more. It also gave me a chance to get bigger, stronger faster and smarter with the football in general.”
MJC reaped the benefits, going 16-7 the last two years while extending its Valley Conference championships streak to four years. The Pirates made the Northern California Football Conference Championship this past season, losing to eventual California Community College Athletic Association state champion College of San Mateo (11-1), 27-22.
Weaver, meanwhile, earned All-Valley Offensive MVP for a second straight year and was named to the All-America Community College Football Team. He ranked among the state’s best in many categories, completing 62.5% of passes for 2,966 yards and 25 touchdowns against four interceptions, while rushing for 531 yards and six TDs.
“I loved it (at MJC),” Weaver said. “Coached (Rusty) Stivers does a good job over there, and I have a great relationship with him. He pretty much gave me the keys to the offense, which I loved.
“It’s basically an all-star team for the area. I got to play with a bunch of awesome guys who I played against in high school or at least heard of. We came together and bonded really well.”
Hawai’i took notice of Weaver’s talents, and assistant coach Cade Socha reached out. Other NCAA Division I programs showed interest, but the fit — and scholarship offer — were too good for Weaver to pass up.
“They really liked how I looked on tape and that I can make every throw,” Weaver said. “In talking to my coaches, the Hawai’i offense is all about giving the ball to the playmakers, and that was my thing at MJC. I just gave it to guys like Trace Hernandez and Joey Stout and let them do the work.”
Headed by third-year coach Timmy Chang, Hawai’i finished 3-4 in the WAC and 5-7 overall. Competing in the WAC gives Weaver a chance to see a familiar face across the field. Fellow East Union alumnus Dylan Lee (2023) is a redshirt freshman at San Jose State, where he plays linebacker. In 2021, they were one of the top QB-receiver duos in the Sac-Joaquin Section, and they led the Lancers to the program’s first postseason win since 1992.
“We’ve already talked about it,” Weaver said. “We look forward to it, whenever it is. It will be cool to be able to play against each other. It’s a super cool moment.”
Weaver is also a product of the Ripon Knights and Manteca Timberwolves youth football organizations. He holds an associates in mathematics and is majoring in communicology at Hawai’i.
