Fall Preview: Hawaii

Hawaii:

Head Coach: Norm Chow
2014 Record: (4-9, 3-5 MWC)
Basic Offense: Multiple
Basic Defense: 3-4
Starters Returning: 16 (8 Off., 6 Def., 2 Spec.)
Starters Lost: 10 (3 Off., 5 Def., 2 Spec.)

Offense: 

The Warriors head into the upcoming season with hope at the quarterback spot as former USC quarterback Max Wittek is finally eligible. The senior will not be given the job but must earn it as 2014 starter Ikaika Woolsey (210-416/2,538/13TD) is back for his junior year. Wittek is the favorite and head coach Norm Chow has even named the USC transfer the starter. How Wittek plays will determine how Hawaii does this fall.

Hawaii looks to have a solid starter in palce at running back with junior Diocemy Saint Juste (73/372/3TD). The 5-8, 180 pound running back is the team's second leading returning rusher and currently holds the starting job over 2014 leading rusher Steven Lakalaka (159/646/2TD). Both will see playing time and should get a similar number of carries with the coaching staff riding the hot hand on most occasions. Senior Justin Vele (3/11/0TD) will be the starting fullback when needed and is a solid contributor to the passing game with 13 catches last fall.

Tight ends Harold Moleni (10/74/3TD) and Metuisela `Unga (1/21/0TD) will see some playing time in the passing game while the wide reciever group should make a majority of the catches. 'Unga is the projected starter and at 6-5, 250 pounds, should be able to give help to the offense in both running and passing plays. Moleni is more of a pass catching specialist but can block when needed. The Warriors have a pair of 50+ pass catchers returning in starters Marcus Kemp (56/797/3TD) and Quinton Pedroza (59/674/3TD). Kemp saw starting action in 12 of the 13 games last fall and is more of a deep threat than any other receiver on the roster. Junior Vasquez Haynes and redshirt freshman Devan Stubblefield are battling for the backup role. Pedroza will line up opposite Kemp and enters the season as the teams leading returning receiver with 59 catches. Sophomore Keelan Ewaliko (6/141/0TD) and redshirt sophomore Ammon Barker (10/162/0TD) will find their way into the receiver rotation at that spot. Redshirt freshman Dylan Collie will take the slot position and has impressed the coaching staff since joining the program. Collie was a signee to BYU in 2012 but made the move to Hawaii after his two year mission trip. Senior Ryan Pasoquen is listed as the backup.

Hawaii returns with two offensive linemen that made double digit starts last fall led by left tackle Ben Clarke (37 career starts). The senior is a three time All-MWC Honorable Mention and made the move to left tackle from center in 2014. Clarke is a preseason 1st team All-MWC selection and on the Lombardi Award Watch List. True freshman J.R. Hensley is his backup. Redshirt junior Leo Koloamatangi (3 career starts) saw more playing time as the 2014 season progressed and is the leader for the left guard spot on the offensive line. Sophomore Elijah Tupai (3 career starts) also made three starts at left guard in 2014 and should give Koloamatangi a run for his money for the starting spot. Senior Brenden Urban (6 career starts) took advantage of an injury and claimed the starting center spot last season and also heading into this fall. Sophomore John Wa'a (2 career starts) makes the move from left guard where he made two starts last season to back up Urban. Redshirt sophomore Dejon Allen (11 career starts) immediately slide in at right guard and will be a staple of the offensive line for the next three seasons barring injury. Redshirt freshman Asotui Eli will be the backup. At right tackle is a couple of former JUCO players in RJ Hollis and Matt Norman. Hollis has been with Hawaii for two seasons after spending one season on the JUCO level while Normam just make the just after the 2014 year.

Defense: 

The defensive line for Hawaii is not very experienced heading into the upcoming season with onle one returning player making a start last fall. At one defensive end spot is the only returning starter in junior Kennedy Tulimasealii (40 tkl, 9.5 tfl, 2.5 sacks). The junior starter is the leading retuning player in tackles for loss. Sophomore David Manoa will be the backup at his position at 6-3, 240 pounds. In the middle is sophomore Penitito Faalologo, a player that saw most of his action on special teams last fall. Colorado transfer Kory Rasmussen is a Hawaii native that is ready for game action after sitting out the 2014 season. At the opposite defensive end slot is senior Luke Shawley (35 tkl). The 6-3, 250 pound lineman will be a bit undersized but must hold his own versus some very good MWC offensive lines. Sophomore Meffy Koloamatangi is the backup.

After making seven starts last fall, senior Lance Williams (25 tkl, 1 tfl) will be the full time starter at outside linebacker this fall. Williams is an asset on special teams as well with 2 blocked kicks in 2014. Redshirt freshman Jahlani Tavai and Arizona transfer Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea (25 gp at Arizona) will battle for backup duties. At the other outside linebacker spot is senior Jerrol Garcia-Williams (2 tkl). The junior is coming off of a knee injury that took away his season last fall. Sophomore Jeremy Castro (21 tkl, 2.5 tfl, 2 sacks) will be a more than capable backup for Garcia-Williams. At the inside linebacker spots are a pair of seniors in Simon Poti (63 tkl, 3 tfl, 2 sacks) and Benetton Fonua (42 tkl, 4 tfl, 1 sack). The duo are solid players that should give the Hawaii defense some stability this fall versus a very tough schedule. Sophomore JUCO transfer Russell Williams and senior Julian Gener (46 tkl, 5 tfl, 1 sack) should be able to see some playing time this fall as well.

The Warriors have the most experience on defense in the secondary as both cornerbacks are 2014 starters. Senior Ne’Quan Phillips (54 tkl, 6 tfl, 3 sacks) has the ability to cover well while also showing the willingness to make plays in the backfield. On the opposite side is sophomore Nick Nelson (36 tkl, 1 tfl), a younger player that should turn into one of the better players on Hawaii's defense before he graduates. Sophomore Jerrell Jackson (1 tkl, 1 tfl) and junior Jamal Mayo will be in the rotation as backups. At the two safety spots are a pair of upperclassmen in junior Trayvon Henderson (63 tkl, 3 tfl, 1 sack, 2 INT) and senior Marrell Jackson (11 tkl, 1 INT) Henderson is much more experienced and a leader on the Hawaii defense while Jackson has been waiting his turn to start for the Warriors on defense. Junior Daniel Lewis (21 tkl, 2 INT), redshirt freshman Dany Mulanga, and junior Damien Packer will be the safety backups. Gaetano DeMattei (26 tkl, 4 tfl, 1 sack) and Jalen Rogers (7 tkl, 1 INT) will give much needed experience to the reserve unit.

Special Teams: 

It is tough to predict how the Hawaii kicking game will go this fall as no one has any in game experience. True freshman Alex Trifonovitch is expected to handle punting duties after being named a first team All-America punter by CHris Sailer Kicking last fall. Kicker has experience on the JUCO level and will get the first shot to earn all kicking duties for the Warriors this fall.