AZUSA, Calif. >> Former University of Hawaii kicker/punter Rigo Sanchez was on the clock.
For Monday’s pro day — a combine-like event attended by 28 National Football League scouts — a special time (30 minutes) and place (Citrus Stadium) was set aside for Sanchez.
“I felt short of time,” Sanchez said, referring to his private workout while former teammates waited for their field drills at neighboring Dillon Field. “It was only supposed to be 30 minutes, so I tried to hurry up a little bit. That way (the scouts) could see everything.”
Sanchez had planned to focus on his field-goal kicking. But he also was asked to punt, a secondary skill he honed with the Rainbow Warriors the past two seasons.
Surrounded by scouts, Sanchez delivered in both areas. He converted 13 of 15 field-goal attempts, from an average of 40 yards. A strong wind pulled one of his misses wide, although it sailed 20 yards past the goal posts. Sanchez kicked from both hashmarks and, a couple of times, ran from the sideline to mimic hectic situations. His kickoffs reached the track behind the end line. His directional punts averaged 5.0 seconds of hang time, slightly above his goal. He also showed rugby-style punts.
“I try to do my best when they’re all watching,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez felt at ease. He brought several new footballs to simulate the conditions for a real game. “I tried not to lie to myself,” he said.
Short-snapper Brodie Nakama paid his own travel expenses from Hawaii to help his former teammate on punts. They had not seen each other since the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve. “It’s more comfortable for him to work with a guy he knows,” said Nakama, who kept in snapping shape training high school players. Nakama said he found inexpensive airfare. “As long as he gets me some tickets wherever he goes,” Nakama said, smiling.
Several NFL teams are trying to arrange private workouts for Sanchez.
Offensive lineman Leo Koloamatangi also drew strong interest. Several scouts had extensive on-field interviews with Koloamatangi, who can play all five line positions. He even has aligned as a blocking tight end. Koloamatangi projects to play guard or center. Since the NFLPA game in January, Koloamatangi has earned the reputation as a high-character guy.
“I think that’s something (UH line) coach Chris Naeole and coach (Nick) Rolovich really harped on,” Koloamatangi said. “Are you going to cheat the grind? Are you going to go in 100 percent? Are you fully committed? Those are the things we emphasize.”
Koloamatangi played sparingly, if at all, until the 2016 season. But he said he kept working because of his UH teammates, especially younger brother Meffy Koloamatangi. Slack? “There was no way I was going to let him see that,” Koloamatangi said.
“I thought our guys represented the program really well, and that was from the scouts,” Rolovich said. “Our guys took instruction well, didn’t complain, and got up and worked. That’s a good sign of a team that worked through adversity. And there was a lot of good work put in by our players.”
Receiver Makoa Camanse-
Stevens shaved his head and reduced his body fat from 16 percent to 5.09 percent to improve his speed. He recorded the fastest times in four categories — 10 yards (1.59 seconds), 20 yards (2.61), 20-yard shuttle (4.15) and 3-cone drill (6.94).
Defensive back Dejaun Butler ran a 40-yard dash in an element-aided 4.38 seconds, according to one timing, but the official average was adjusted to 4.60 seconds. Cornerbacks Jamal Mayo and Jalen Rogers also ran element-aided, sub-4.5 times that were adjusted to averages of 4.65 and 4.58 seconds. Butler, Mayo, Rogers and safety Damien Packer did well in field drills.
“I didn’t drop any balls during the drills,” said Rogers, who navigated what was widely considered a slippery artificial surface.
Wideout Marcus Kemp led the Warriors with 73 receptions and 1,110 receiving yards in 2016. He displayed athleticism, being credited with an average 4.51 seconds in the 40 (one timing was as low as 4.41) and broad jump of 10 feet, 6 inches. But Kemp lamented two passes that got away — a drop and a fade he couldn’t chase down.
“I had some opportunities but didn’t capitalize on all of them,” Kemp said. “All I can do is wait and still train. … The last route is how I make my money. It was a fade. It was a deep ball. I let it get away from me. … It was floating in the air. The wind made it seem like it was going to stop. I judged it poorly. I can’t blame anybody. I read the ball wrong. That’s what I have to do as a deep threat. I failed.”
Kemp said he hopes his work in the combine drills and during his UH career will attract teams.
Rolovich said his players did their best, and teams will make decisions based on needs and preferences.
“You control what you control,” Rolovich said.