Harbaugh offers scholarship to 8th-grade QB in Hawaii

Michigan has begun to cast a wide net for future recruiting classes, and took a first step by offering eighth-grade quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava from Laie, Hawaii.

Maiava announced the news on Twitter on Wednesday morning.

“BLESSED 2 say I received my FIRST scholarship offer from the University of Michigan! #WOLVERINES #GOBIGBLUE,” Maiva tweeted.

“Still blown away...Lol hasn’t soaked in yet.”

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound dual-threat quarterback from Kahuku High and Intermediate School will be a freshman this fall. Maiava is the first prospect to receive an offer for Michigan’s 2020 class.

Trieu: UM stock rising with QB Thompson-Robinson, WR Hall

According to an article on youth1.com, the offer came at Laie Park on Tuesday when Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and his staff were working a satellite camp with Hawaii coaches at Saint Louis High in Honolulu.

Maiava’s father, Luaao Peters, said the offer came from Harbaugh himself.

“I want to offer you a scholarship Sol-Jay, what do you think about that?” Peters said about what Harbaugh said. “I smiled, put my head down and hugged him and said, ‘Thank you.’”

It’s not, however, the first time Harbaugh has offered a player before playing in high school.

Last year, Harbaugh offered Florida eighth-grader Blake Hinson, a 6-5, 205-pound receiver, and Georgia eighth-grader Owen Pappoe, a 6-0, 200-pound linebacker.

Three other eighth-grade quarterbacks — Connecticut’s Drew Pyne, Georgia’s Harrison Bailey, and Georgia’s Max Johnson — also have been offered scholarships by Power Five schools, according to 247Sports.com.

Maiava’s offer comes as Harbaugh and his staff concluded their summer satellite camp tour with stops in Hawaii and American Samoa.