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Hawaii football coach Nick Rolovich coordinated clinics, delivered prizes to fans on Kauai and across Oahu, sold season tickets on downtown street corners, recruited in Hawaii and on the mainland, spoke to dozens of groups, hunted boars, fought back tears at the hospital bedside of a seriously injured player, and met with players from the 1992 and 2007 teams.
But the odd jobs this offseason were not as daunting as breaking even in 2016.
“My worry is we think 7-7 is acceptable and easy to do,” Rolovich said of the Rainbow Warriors’ 2016 record. “It wasn’t. I have to keep reminding those guys it took everything we had to get to 6-7 (during the regular season) and get into the (Hawaii Bowl). I was proud of them and the way they played in the bowl game. But that didn’t just happen.”
Rolovich said it should be a seamless transition from Kevin Lempa, who resigned as defensive coordinator to work at Michigan, to Legi Suiaunoa, who was promoted from defensive line coach. Suiaunoa is incorporating attacking concepts to the 4-3 base defense.
The Warriors enter Wednesday’s opening of training camp with an incumbent No. 1 quarterback (Dru Brown), a play-making running back (Diocemy Saint Juste), a next-level tight end (Metuisela ‘Unga) and an aggressive defense (led by middle linebacker Jahlani Tavai and free safety Trayvon Henderson).
“I want to win a Mountain West Conference championship,” Rolovich said. “And we’re going to play better defense to do that. I think we’re on the right path. We’re going to emphasize takeaways even more. The offense was improved (in 2016) from a year (earlier), but I don’t think being 79th in the nation (out of 128 FBS teams in total offense) is something to put your feet up for.”
Rolovich also would like to reduce penalties. During the first week of the offseason program, strength/conditioning coordinator Bubba Reynolds ordered the Warriors to sprint 71 yards every time they committed a false-start on a drill. Last year, the Warriors averaged 71.6 penalty yards per game, ranking 127th nationally.
“I think the guys who are here now are committed and understand what we need to do,” Rolovich said.
QUARTERBACKS
Nicknamed “Sunshine,” Dru Brown was a bright spot in going 6-4 as a starter in his first UH season. He was efficient in the spread (62.4 percent accuracy, including 70 percent on third-and-short) and run-pass option (6.33 yards per non-sack scramble or keeper.) “Obviously, it’s Dru’s spot to lose,” offensive coordinator Brian Smith said. Cole McDonald, a second-year freshman, and Cole Brownholtz, a third-year sophomore, redshirted last year. Both are elusive runners — McDonald on designed plays, Brownholtz on improvisations. Walk-ons Kyle Gallup, who redshirted after transferring from Marshall, and Hunter Hughes, return. Two freshmen — Farrington graduate Justin Uahinui and Karson Greeley, younger brother of Rainbow Wahine volleyball player Kalei Greeley — join the competition. Aaron Zwahlen and Beau Reilly transferred after the 2016 season.
RUNNING BACKS
Diocemy Saint Juste is coming off a breakout season in which he rushed for 1,006 yards in 12 games. He showed speed (10 runs of 20-plus yards), quickness (2.5 seconds over 20 yards) and toughness (averaging 3.60 yards after being hit or eluding a tackle). The Warriors hope to expand Saint Juste’s role as a receiver (9.25 yards-after-catch average in 2016) and money runner (no TDs in 13 red-zone carries). Speedy Paul Harris and short-yardage specialist Steven Lakalaka completed their UH eligibility, and Mel Davis will miss the season because of a knee injury. Ryan Tuiasoa might be part of the back-by-committee rotation. Other considerations are Freddie Holly III, who gained strength during a redshirt year, and two differently built freshmen — 5-8, 190-pound Miles Reed and 6-2, 225-pound Hekili Keliiliki, who recently completed a church mission.
RECEIVERS
Slotbacks were designed with John Ursua and Dylan Collie in mind. They are quick, tough and precise route runners. But in the expanded offense, traditional run-and-shoot slots also can align wide and have access to every branch of the passing tree. Four of Collie’s five career touchdowns materialized on fade routes. Last year, Ursua was targeted 17 times on throws of 20-plus yards in the air from the line of scrimmage. Ursua had a post-catch average of 5.60 yards. The Warriors are deep with wideouts. Keelan Ewaliko collected all 15 of his catches in the final six games while averaging 21.8 yards per catch after the third quarter. Ammon Barker, who was not thrown a pass in 2015, averaged 14.1 yards per catch last season. Isaiah Bernard redshirted as a senior last year and earned a degree in May. Bernard opted to return, and according to Smith, “he’s turned into a staff favorite. Everybody loves and appreciates his work ethic.” Kalakaua Timoteo III, whose freshman year was abbreviated because of an injury, Kumoku Noa Davine Tullis, and Marcus Armstrong-Brown are among the contenders for playing time. Devan Stubblefield also is healthy after missing last season because of a knee injury.
TIGHT ENDS/H-BACKS
At 6-5 and 240 pounds, Metuisela ‘Unga has drawn comparisons to former NFL tight end Itula Mili because of his size, power and receiver skills. Although he can align in the slot and wing, ‘Unga is an aggressive blocker. Dakota Torres is a multiple-level blocker, particularly on screens and in the run-pass-option formation. But Torres also is a savvy receiver, catching 76.9 percent of the throws when he is the primary target. His pet move is the block-and-slide, football’s equivalent of a pick-and-roll. Kaiwi Chung, who has fully healed from a knee injury, parlayed his O-line background in high school into a lead-blocking role.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Of all the losses — Elijah Tupai retired to take care of family matters, Austin Webb is recovering from a leg infection, Kingjames Taylor did not meet eligibility requirements — the most significant are the graduations of Leo Koloamatangi and RJ Hollis. Both were on-field and locker-room leaders. Left tackle Dejon Allen is counted on to provide leadership — and blindside protection — as one of two holdovers from the 2012 recruiting class. (Ursua, who went on a mission, was the other.) Allen and guard John Wa‘a work well in tandem, creating B-gap space on the left side when Allen kicks out and Wa‘a hooks an interior defender. Wa‘a acts quickly on pull blocks, a required ability because of the quick-cutting backs. Several linemen have been cross-training for the other three spots. Fred Ulu-Perry, who redshirted after transferring from UCLA a year ago, is a ferocious blocker who can play anywhere on the line. Asotui Eli, who dropped 20 pounds and now weighs 305, can play center or guard. JR Hensley, who started at right guard in the Hawaii Bowl, has trained at tackle. Matt Norman can play either tackle position; he has aligned as a second tight end. True freshmen Brandon Kipper and Micah Vanterpool might be in the mix if they can pick up the schemes.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Viane Moala is 6-7 with the vertical jump to block kicks, but “we ask him to play like he’s 5-10,” defensive coordinator Suiaunoa said of low-leverage approach. Moala has accommodated — he would be terrific at limbo — while providing surprising strength and first-step burst. Kiko Faalologo has the dual skills to clog lanes and reset the line of scrimmage. Samiuela Akoteu has worked his way into the rotation. Joey Nuuanu-Kuhi‘iki and Cole Carter used redshirt years to add mass. Recruits Anthony Mermea and Doug Russell will be given opportunities to break into the rotation.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea graduated and Jamie Tago was booted in his second tour as a Warrior. But Meffy Koloamatangi has big-play potential as a pass rusher and run stopper. David Manoa has developed, and will alternate between hand-in-the-dirt end and stand-up rusher. Zeno Choi and Tevarua Eldridge have starting experience. Kaimana Padello (6-0, 205) might be one of the league’s lightest ends, but he is quick and elusive. Both his tackles were made in the backfield. He also blocked a punt. His older brother, KK Padello, is similarly built and gritty. Max Hendrie is cleared to play after suffering a shoulder injury last year.
LINEBACKERS
Jahlani Tavai played the middle for the first time in his career (after moving from rush end) and responded with 129 tackles, second most among Mountain West defenders, including 19.5 for loss. He had a team-high seven sacks. Tavai can play on the line as an edge defender, in pass coverage, and as a stand-up nose. Russell Williams was limited to nine games, but he finished seventh on the team with 46 tackles. Malachi Mageo emerged as a relentless defender on the strong side, but he suffered a knee injury in the spring and might not be ready to open the season. There is an ample amount of quality outside linebackers. Dany Mulanga has size and range. Ikem Okeke, whose strip-sack sparked UH’s comeback in the Hawaii Bowl, and Jeremiah Pritchard started as freshmen last year. Suiaunoa said Solomon Matautia has “high-ceiling” potential. Paul Scott, who decommitted from California to sign with UH, is regarded as one of the prizes of the 2017 recruiting class.
SAFETIES
Free safety Trayvon Henderson is widely regarded as the Warriors’ best overall player. He can play man coverage (three picks, 17 breakups/passes defended in 2016) and sneak into the tackle box. He’s also quick (2.53 seconds over 20 yards.) Daniel Lewis, who has fully recovered from offseason hernia surgery, is praised for “twitchy” skills (the ability to change directions quickly). Keala Santiago and Austin Gerard had strong springs. Jay Dominique, a freshman from Montreal who enrolled in January, has earned a spot in the rotation. Justice Augafa, who signed last month, is a contender for viper (safety-linebacker hybrid).
CORNERS
Last year’s starters — Jalen Rogers and Jamal Mayo — graduated, but Ro Farris earned significant playing time after Mayo was injured. Farris is considered to be the Warriors’ best press defender. Zach Wilson played well in spring training. Manu Hudson-Rasmussen, who played under Suiaunoa at Montana two years ago, is quick with a 40-inch vertical jump. The Warriors addressed the corner position in Nick Rolovich’s first two recruiting classes. Eugene Ford and Mykal Tolliver are ready to contribute. Cameron Hayes, a third-year sophomore, had the most takeaways in spring training. At 6-4, Donovan Dalton can match up against jump-ball receivers.
SPECIALISTS
The Warriors lost a kicker, punter and kickoff specialist when multiskilled Rigo Sanchez completed his UH eligibility following the Hawaii Bowl. Alex Trifonovitch, who was recruited as a punter two years ago, has focused on place-kicking this offseason. Ryan Meskell, a soccer player from Australia, and freshman Michael Boyle also will compete at kicker. Stan Gaudion, also of Australia, is expected to punt and serve as holder. Noah Borden, who was the long snapper last year, also will snap on point-scoring kicks this year.
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