Casual Hawaii football fans might not be able to tell the Warriors without a program this coming season.
For the first time in more than 20 years, surnames will not be on the back of Warriors jerseys.
“We’re a team,” head coach Norm Chow said. “If our team does well, individual recognition will come.”
Chow noted that none of the other UH men’s teams have surnames on the uniforms.
Like Madonna, Bono and Fiji, the Warriors will be a one-name entity. Chow said the only name on the jerseys will be “Hawaii.”
With the opening of training on Wednesday, here’s a quick look at the Warriors:
Quarterbacks: David Graves entered spring training as the top quarterback, but Utah State transfer Jeremy Higgins finished strong, forcing a deadlock atop the depth chart. Now Duke transfer Sean Schroeder enters the mix. Schroeder was used sparingly in three years at Duke, but he has received impressive mentoring. Duke coach David Cutcliffe coached Peyton and Eli Manning. Bob Johnson is considered one of the top quarterback tutors on the West Coast. “Sean makes it a lot more competitive,” Chow said. “He’ll bring out the best in everybody.” Chow said he will wait a few practices before deciding on a No. 1 quarterback.
Running backs: Joey Iosefa and Will Gregory exited the spring as the top two running backs. They will either rotate or be used in tandem in a split-back formation or with Iosefa as a fullback. Chow said John Lister also did well in the spring. Sterling Jackson, who missed spring practice while recovering from shoulder surgery, has received medical clearance. “We’re going to give Sterling a chance,” Chow said, adding that freshman Steven Lakalaka also will get reps.
Fullbacks: During the spring, Dustin Elisara suffered a knee injury and Jared Leaf was sidelined because of a stomach ailment that caused him to drop more than 25 pounds. Elisara underwent surgery last week and will miss the season. Leaf is healthy, and has regained the weight. Justin Vele, a linebacker, was pushed into duty for the final week of spring ball. He will open at fullback, although there is a possibility he could move if freshman Ethan Watanabe does well.
Receivers: Billy Ray Stutzmann and Trevor Davis are the leaders at X, which is on the single side of the formation. Scott Harding and Chris Gant will be at the Z, which is on the tight end’s side. Miah Ostrowski and Justin Clapp are the top slotbacks. Most of the time, the Warriors will be in a two-receiver formation. When they expand to three receivers, a slotback will be added. Ostrowski and Clapp will both be used in four-receiver sets. Clapp also can play one of the wideout positions.
Tight end: Craig Cofer, a converted defensive end, enters as the top on-line tight end. But UH is hopeful that Darius Bright, who is the motion tight end, also can be a physical on-line blocker. Bright, who is 6 feet 5, has gained weight and now is 260 pounds. Ryan Hall, a transfer from Duke, and Harold Moleni will compete for playing time. Clark Evans will not participate in training camp because of personal reasons.
Offensive line: The lone senior, Levi Legay, has accepted a medical retirement and will serve as a student assistant this season. Still, Chow said, “We feel good about this group.” Blake Muir, Sean Shigematsu, Mike Milovale, Jordan Loeffler and Kapua Sai are the tackles. Muir was allowed to remain in Australia for a couple of extra weeks to gain more weight. Shigematsu has fully healed from knee surgery. Sai, who transferred from Utah, also can play guard and center. He was in this system last year, when Chow was the Utes’ offensive coordinator. Ben Dew, Dave Lefotu, Chauncy Winchester-Makainai and Sai are the top guards. Lefotu fulfilled a pledge to lose weight during the offseason. “We heard Lefotu did a great job,” Chow said. Freshman Ben Clarke was the No. 1 center exiting spring training. Sai and Kody Afusia will challenge that.
Defensive line: The Warriors are switching from a 4-3 front to essentially a double-eagle formation involving a nose tackle, a hybrid defensive end and a strongside linebacker who often aligns on the line of scrimmage. Nose tackle Moses Samia is considered to be the Warriors’ top interior lineman. “He’s a big guy who can make plays,” Chow said. Geordon Hanohano and Haku Correa are the defensive tackles. Tavita Woodard, a defensive end who practiced at tight end in the spring, also will be used at defensive tackle. “We need toughness in there and we also need quickness,” Chow said of Woodard. Defensive end Beau Yap has emerged as a menacing pass rusher. Paipai Falemalu is the hybrid end. He lost 15 pounds, and now is 245. Quenton Brown also can play that spot. Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson, who transferred from Washington State, has petitioned for a waiver allowing him to play this season.
Linebackers: George Daily-Lyles enters his fourth year in the program — at a new position (weakside linebacker) and with more expectations. “It’s his turn,” Chow said. “He’s become one of the older guys.” T.J. Taimatuia takes over the middle and play-calling duties. “He has a good feel for the game,” Chow said of Taimatuia. Art Laurel, who led the Warriors with 9.0 sacks in 2011, is back at strongside linebacker. Brenden Daley, who sat out last season following foot surgery, will compete on the strong side. Freshman Benny Fonua will open in the middle, although he also can play on the perimeter.
Defensive backs: Mike Edwards did not participate in contact drills in the spring while recovering from shoulder surgery. But he appears to be an easy fit in a defense that requires one-on-one coverages at the corners. Tony Grimes, who played 10 games as a Mississippi freshman in 2010, is a top contender at the other corner spot. Justin Turner, who attended Michigan for a semester, is awaiting word on whether he will be eligible to play this season. Ne’Quan Phillips, a freshman from Florida, is in the mix. If Turner joins, then two-year starter John Hardy-Tuliau will move to safety. Bubba Poueu-Luna is the other starting safety. Mike Sellers is considered the top nickelback.
Specialists: With the uncertain status of punter Alex Dunnachie, who will answer to a DUI accusation in District Court on Friday, the Warriors will use Iosefa and Harding as punters. Iosefa played rugby in American Samoa; Harding was a pro Aussie rules football player. Tyler Hadden has healed from a variety of ailments and is the No. 1 kicker.
