One of the University of Hawaii’s most promising freshman football players — defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii of Waianae High — suffered an injury to his right knee during Tuesday’s practice.

The injury appeared to be to the medial collateral ligament.

Tulimasealii underwent an MRI Tuesday afternoon, a team spokesman said.

"We’ll just have to wait and see," defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said. "You hate to lose a guy, especially in that type of situation."

Tulimasealii suffered the injury during a one-on-one drill in the Rainbow Warriors’ final practice at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, where they trained for six days.

Tulimasealii was taken by cart to the Earhart Field sideline, where his right knee was wrapped with an ice pack. The other defensive linemen surrounded the cart, then bowed in prayer.

Tulimasealii told head coach Norm Chow he could move his right leg, and the soreness was isolated.

"There was one spot that was sore," Chow said. "We’re hoping for the best."

Defensive tackle Moses Samia said Tulimasealii’s injury conjured "mean flashbacks."

Samia suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in the second game of the 2012 season. He did not play the rest of the year.

"Hopefully, God is watching over him and he’s fine," Samia said. "I know what he’s going through because of my deal last year. I pray to God he’s OK."

Despite being a freshman, Tulimasealii has earned a spot in the rotation.

"We wanted him to come in and compete like he did in high school, and he did just that," Kaumeyer said.

Tulimasealii plays defensive tackle in the base defense and end when the Rainbow Warriors are in a three-man front.

"He’s a great kid," defensive tackle Saui Matagiese said. "He’s a great listener. He’s coachable. You tell him something, he responds excellently, and goes out and gets the job done."

Teammates named Tulimasealii to the 17-player captains’ council.

"He took on a leadership role as a freshman," Samia said. "That’s kind of rare."