Four former walk-ons were runaway winners in the election for Hawaii football captains.
Head coach Greg McMackin confirmed that quarterback Bryant Moniz, right wideout Royce Pollard, middle linebacker Corey Paredes and strong safety Richard Torres will serve as permanent team captains this year.
A different fifth captain will be chosen for each game.
“They are all self-made players,” McMackin said. “They are all leaders.”
McMackin said each of the 104 players in training camp were asked to vote for four players. McMackin said 15 players received “double-digit votes.” But the four winners were named on more than 80 percent of the ballots.
“They are thought of very highly by their teammates,” McMackin said. “They’ve worked hard. They went along with the weight program. They’re bigger and stronger than when they first got here. The other guys respect that. They know these four guys have the heart of a warrior.”
When Moniz joined the Warriors in January 2009, he was assigned a spot at the bottom of the depth chart. He was the No. 4 quarterback in training camp that year. Because of injuries to Greg Alexander and Brent Rausch, Moniz was the starter in the middle of the 2009 season. Last year, he led the NCAA in passing yards and scoring throws.
“He’s one of the best in the country,” McMackin said. “He’s working hard for this team.”
Pollard is the only returning starting receiver.
“He continuously works at a high level,” McMackin said. “He’s all about the team.”
Paredes played virtually one-armed last season. He underwent shoulder surgery during the offseason.
“He won the Nevada game for us with a big play on (quarterback Colin Kaepernick),” McMackin said. “He has everyone’s respect because he played hurt last year but wouldn’t come out. He’s one of the toughest players I’ve known, and I’ve known many tough guys.”
Torres weighed 145 when he joined the Warriors as a grayshirt in January 2008. He now weighs 180. He reduced his time in the 40-yard dash from 4.7 seconds to sub-4.5 seconds.
“He’s a coach’s son,” McMackin said. “He knows the game. He’s the leader of our secondary.”
