John Ursua leads the University of Hawaii with All-Mountain West honors

Hawaii receiver John Ursua’s path of most resistance has led to his selection to the All-Mountain West’s first team for football.

Ursua, a fourth-year junior, was the only Rainbow Warrior named to the first team, which was announced on Wednesday.

Kaimana Padello, who plays UH’s hybrid linebacker/end position, was selected to the second team.

UH quarterback Cole McDonald, linebacker Jahlani Tavai, defensive end Zeno Choi, cornerback Rojesterman Farris II and offensive lineman Solo Vaipulu received honorable mention.

In 2017, Ursua suffered a torn ACL that required season-ending surgery. It would take until the past summer for rehabilitation to be completed. But a hamstring ailment would prevent Ursua from participating fully in practices until the days leading to the season opener against Colorado State.

“There was a lot of maintenance and a lot of last-minute question marks,” UH coach Nick Rolovich said of Ursua’s availability. “We took it right to the limit. He didn’t practice very much before Colorado State.”

Without missing a beat, Ursua caught 89 passes for 1,342 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also rushed for a TD.

Ursua is the national leader in touchdown receptions, and is fifth in receiving yards and total touchdowns (17), and 10th in receiving yards per game (103.3).

“I was mentally prepared for all that was to come,” Ursua said.

Ursua grew up in Kailua-Kona, then moved to Utah, where he attended three high schools in three years, including two during his senior year. After working for a year, he then spent two years as a church missionary in Paris.

“It’s crazy when I think about it,” Ursua said. “You hear about people coming from little towns to play college football, and I never thought it’d be me. When I was out there (in Paris), I could never imagine doing what I’ve done so far. It’s a huge blessing to come back from a two-year mission and from my injury. It’s been a fun ride.”

Padello, a junior who is optimistically listed at 6 feet and 227 pounds, leads the Warriors in tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (7.5). Rolovich granted Padello’s request to join UH as a walk-on in 2016. “His film was good,” Rolovich said. “There’s always room for young men who care deeply about the game.”

Padello earned a scholarship this year.

McDonald, a third-year sophomore, is having the statistically best season among Mountain West quarterbacks. McDonald is fifth nationally in passing yards (3,790), passing yards per game (315.8) and total offense (346.7); sixth in points responsible for (240); seventh in passing touchdowns (35) and points responsible for per game (20.0), and 10th in completions per game. McDonald did not start a game in his first two UH seasons. This was his first year operating a run-and-shoot offense.

Tavai’s season was abbreviated because of season-ending shoulder injury. In eight games, he amassed 81 tackles. He finished his UH career with the second-most tackles (391) in the program’s history. “More than production, it was his leadership this year,” Rolovich said. “Jahlani was a really good role model for our young team.”

Choi, a senior co-captain, is a multi-skilled lineman who can play end or tackle. He initially joined the Warriors as a walk-on.

“The production he had for us in multiple roles was wide,” Rolovich said of Choi. “He was so dependable. He knew the defense inside and out. He played three or four positions in different roles. That helped because our depth wasn’t awesome.”

Farris, a junior, is a shut-down corner who leads the Warriors with 11 pass breakups and 12 passes defended. “I’m not sure where we would be without Roe,” Rolovich said. “We’d match Roe on the other team’s No. 1 (receiver). He’s a very smart corner.”

Vaipulu is a true freshman who has started all 13 UH games. “He was well coached,” Rolovich said of his experience in high school. “He came in with a high-level football IQ. He’s probably one of our smartest O-linemen in terms of understanding what to do. Physically, he came in ready to be a college football player.”

Utah State Aggies football coach Matt Wells was named the MWC coach of the year.