To watch Tui Unga go about the opening of spring drills at the University of Hawaii has been to glimpse a lot of what you think a tight end should be.

He is big (6 feet, 5 inches and 260 pounds), powerful and athletic; he runs well and has shown good hands.

Basically, Unga is everything in a promising freshman package that had led the Rainbow Warriors to initially wonder if he might just be too good to be true.

For upon their first meeting five months ago, they took a covetous if disbelieving look at him and concluded: "What are the chances?" as coach Norm Chow recalls.

Indeed, after scouring their recruiting areas for somebody like him and coming up empty, what were the odds that he’d suddenly be plopped into their midst by happenstance?

The ‘Bows were practicing at Bowie State University in Bowie, Md., before their game at the Naval Academy last November when they were introduced to Unga by his brother, J.J., then an offensive lineman with the Baltimore Ravens. The older Unga, now with Buffalo, knew UH assistant coach Lewis Powell and had stopped by to visit with "little" brother in tow.

Meanwhile, the rest of the UH coaches took quick note of Tui’s size and presence, their ears perking up when advised that he was seeking a playing opportunity.

Initially a signee with Fresno State in 2012 out of Rancho Cucamonga High in California, Unga had planned to work on his grades and go on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whereupon the Bulldogs would have a scholarship for him.

But when he decided to postpone the mission, Unga said there wasn’t a scholarship immediately available and he’d have to wait his turn for a year or more. Meanwhile he’d bulked up to 245 pounds, 40 more than what he’d been as a wide receiver-linebacker.

"You wondered how good of a shot we’d have at him and how many hoops we’d have to jump though to get him," Chow said. "But Lewis thought we had a real chance at him and his relationship certainly helped."

Chow secured Unga’s release from Fresno State and Unga arrived on campus in January saying, "the door of opportunity opened for me."

Fast forward to spring ball, where No. 44 has been opening eyes.

There is an offense to be learned and there are rough edges to be smoothed, of course. Foremost among them, blocking must be improved. But there have also been flashes of potential that suggest he can blend both blocking and being a pass catcher. The best part are the signs that this doesn’t have to be a long-term project, that he could be on the field sooner rather than later this fall.

With a twinkle in his eye, Chow even tells visitors he sees some Itula Mili in Unga. Mili, a Kahuku High graduate and All-Western Athletic Conference tight end at Brigham Young, played a decade with the Seattle Seahawks.

Once again, Unga inspires the ‘Bows to wonder: what are the chances?

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.