Warriors safeties drop back together

John Hardy-Tuliau and Bubba Poueu-Luna had a head start in developing chemistry well before they teamed up in the Hawaii secondary.

The cousins played on the same Pop Warner teams growing up in Southern California, separated to rival high schools, then reunited after they both signed with the Warriors as part of the 2010 recruiting class.

The course of their college careers diverged through their first two years in Manoa, but they’ve often worked side by side as a safety tandem over the first week of fall practice.

"Playing together on the same team was something I always wanted to do. We did it when were younger and I loved it, it was a lot of fun," Poueu-Luna said. "I don’t know many other people who get the opportunity to play alongside family, so it’s a good feeling and it makes me want to work harder."

Hardy-Tuliau’s father and Poueu-Luna’s mother are siblings, and although the two joined the program at the same time, Hardy-Tuliau is a year ahead in football eligibility.

Hardy-Tuliau emerged as a playmaker at nickelback as a true freshman and started at free safety last season. He practiced at cornerback in the spring, but has spent most of fall camp at safety as he enters his junior season with the most game experience of the UH defensive backs.

"I just help where I can, corner, nickel and safety," said Hardy-Tuliau, who has intercepted three passes, forced six fumbles and blocked five kicks in his career. "Just rotating and getting experience at all three positions to be well rounded in my coverages."

Poueu-Luna, a sophomore, redshirted his first season when he was sidelined by foot and ankle injuries. He saw action on special teams last year and was working toward playing time at safety when a case of mononucleosis caused him to lose 13 pounds in a week, effectively ending his season.

He stayed healthy through the spring and went into the summer atop the depth chart at strong safety.

"I knew Bubba was an athlete, and he was going to be able to be out there," Hardy-Tuliau said. "It clicked for him last spring."

During their senior year of high school, Poueu-Luna, then a quarterback at Great Oak High School in Temecula, Calif., was the first to commit to UH. The Warriors coaches soon offered Hardy-Tuliau, a standout at nearby Vista Murrieta, a scholarship as well.

"They called me and I just told them the guy just makes plays all the time," Poueu-Luna said. "And I told them whenever we play together we’ve always won."

Hardy-Tuliau was hesitant about moving to Hawaii at first, "then I started thinking about it and I said ‘it’s going to be a great opportunity.’ All of our family is going to be together when it comes to game time cheering for both of us."

The family came together for their high school meetings as well, though in opposite cheering sections.

Poueu-Luna recalled Vista Murrieta getting the better of the matchups, including their senior year, when Hardy-Tuliau was on the other end of one of his throws.

"We had a smash route, I dropped back and tried to force it in there. I got popped and then I see John end up with the ball. It was sad, I couldn’t even be mad about it," said Poueu-Luna, who snagged an interception of his own during Thursday’s practice.

They’re looking forward to returning to Southern California together when the Warriors open the season against USC on Sept. 1.

"We want to play against the best, right now they’re projected to be the best," Hardy-Tuliau said. "Being in California we’ve got friends, family all going to that game, so we just have to work hard right now to get the opportunity to play and represent Hawaii well."

Of course, along with facing the Trojans — ranked third in the USA Today preseason poll — playing close to home presents other challenges as well.

"I’ve got a hundred people wanting tickets and I’ve got eight," Poueu-Luna said.