Soon after Sean Duggan was hired as Hawaii’s linebackers coach, he and defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa assessed UH’s returning personnel. A fast and fierce outside ’backer in the Rainbow Warriors’ 3-4 defense named Jahlani Tavai stood out.

“We were watching some game tape from the previous season and trying to see where guys might fit,” Duggan said. “He kind of struck us as a Mike (middle linebacker). He’s big, he’s strong and he can run.”

Lempa also has experience with talented defenders, and moving them where they can do the most damage to opposing offenses. In his first go-round as the Warriors’ DC in the early 2000s, he had Pisa Tinoisamoa and Chris Brown. Tinoisamoa was a middle who moved outside and thrived, and Brown was a defensive lineman who facilitated that shift by capably taking over Tinoisamoa’s previous spot.

“He’s not there yet, but he will work his tail off to be like them,” Lempa said of Tavai, who was in on 56 tackles, starting 11 games and playing in all 13 as a freshman last fall. “He’s bigger than Pisa and quicker than Chris. We felt that based on his characteristics as a person and the way he moved in winter workouts he should be in the middle. He’s intelligent. He’s in charge, makes the adjustments. He’s what we’re looking for in a leader.”

Tavai sounds a lot like another guy who moved to the middle headed into his sophomore season. That player became a two-time consensus All-American. Later, he led the NFL in tackles as a rookie, and made 10 stops in this year’s Super Bowl.

Duggan played alongside Luke Kuechly at Boston College and they went to the same high school in the Cincinnati area. “We’ve known each other since junior high,” Duggan said.

Kuechly is listed at 6-3, 240. On the latest UH roster Tavai is 6-4, 235.

Tavai clearly has a long road ahead to come anywhere near Kuechly’s accomplishments. But Tavai reminds Duggan of his longtime friend in some ways, including willingness to grind and set an example.

“Luke’s a special guy. I don’t know if I’m ready to crown anyone the next Luke Kuechly,” Duggan said. “But as far as carrying yourself and the work ethic, they’re similar. Jahlani’s got that make-up. Honestly, it’s not something specific, just consistency. Luke always did the right thing, too, every time, every day. If you want to be great that’s what you gotta do.”

Tavai accepts comparisons to accomplished stars with humility. But part of why he is at UH is to blaze his own path. He said USC offered him a scholarship out of Mira Costa High in Manhattan Beach, Calif., but part of why he declined is his brother, J.R. (now with the Tennessee Titans), was already there.

“They wanted me to play tight end,” he added. “I wanted to play defense and go somewhere to make a name for myself, do my own thing. I’m glad I did, I love it here.”

And he enjoys being in the middle of it all. “I like it. It’s different, there’s more responsibility than outside linebacker. I’m ready to step up.”

Head coach Nick Rolovich is just as excited about building the defense around Tavai.

“He really reminds Lemp’ and Duggan of their ’backer style at Boston College,” he said. “Usually that size of a guy at a program like this one will be playing with his hand in the dirt at defensive end. But it’s who he is as a person, he can communicate and can line up his teammates.”

As for Hawaii plucking a player USC wanted from its own backyard three years ago?

“I’m glad they wanted him at tight end,” Rolovich said.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quickreads.