Hawaii’s leading tackler is a student of old records.
“I love old-school music, like the Temptations,” said Jahlani Tavai, the starting middle linebacker. “I got that from my father. My dad’s a great musician. He loves music.”
Tavai, a junior, is an old-school linebacker who embraces his dual role as play-caller and play-maker. While his job description is in the middle, he often roams to the edge as a pass rusher, drops into coverage as a pass defender, or aligns as a stand-up nose creating chaos for centers and guards.
“Sometimes I’ll try to disguise stuff, sometimes I’ll try to hit you in the mouth,” Tavai said. The position “is awesome. You’re right in the middle of everything.”
The sport seized his attention when he was 6. “My brothers played first, and I was interested in what they were wearing, helmets and stuff,” Tavai said. “I tried it on and I wanted to live it up.”
Wearing a helmet and over-sized pads, Tavai was dressed to thrill, running around the house and into furniture. “I acted like I was the quarterback,” Tavai said.
He went on to compete in basketball, rugby, volleyball and track. But it was football that offered the most possibilities. “I wanted to see how far it would take me,” Tavai said.
The answer, it turned out, was found in the Mira Costa High gym in Manhattan Beach, Calif. The school’s basketball coach, Cameron Chow, is the middle son of Norm Chow, UH’s head coach at the time.
“I was joking around,” Tavai said. “I told him if you need a D-lineman, tell Coach Chow to look at my films. He did, and I’m happy that he did.”
Tavai was a 6-foot-4, 209-pound nose tackle and tight end as a Mira Costa senior. The UH coaches envisioned Tavai developing into a rush end in college. The USC coaches viewed Tavai as a tight end. Tavai accepted the Warriors’ scholarship offer.
“My place is here in Hawaii,” said Tavai, whose first name translates to “heaven sent.”
But after redshirting in 2014 and playing in all 13 games at rush end in 2015, Tavai was moved to middle linebacker. Tavai received extensive tutoring from linebackers coach Sean Duggan, who played that position at Boston College. Tavai was named to the 2016 Mountain West first team after amassing 129 tackles, including 19.5 for losses. He also had seven sacks and forced two fumbles.
“You’ve got to love the game,” Tavai said. “It’s done so much for me as a person, as a man, as a football player. It’s one of the only sports where you learn so many life lessons. It got me to college, something my parents didn’t finish up in. I’m really grateful to have this opportunity.”
SCOUTING REPORT: LINEBACKERS
Easily the deepest position, there are enough linebackers that the Warriors added a position — rover — for sub-packages. Middle linebacker Jahlani Tavai received consideration for preseason Mountain West player of the year. Russell Williams Jr. shifted from middle to the strong side to make use of his speed and toughness. Solomon Matautia, a high school safety three years ago, had a breakout season at linebacker last year. The Warriors expect improved growth from true sophomores Jeremiah Pritchard and Ikem Okeke. The sleeper is Justice Augafa, a late signee, who has mastered the rover position. The competition intensifies at midseason when Malachi Mageo, recovering from a knee injury, returns.
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STRONG-SIDE LINEBACKER
44 | Russell Williams Jr. | 6-1 | 230 | Sr. | Elk Grove, Calif.
22 | Ikem Okeke | 6-0 | 220 | So. | Las Vegas
40 | Dany Mulanga | 6-3 | 200 | Jr. | Bedford., Texas
MIDDLE LINEBACKER
31 | Jahlani Tavai | 6-4 | 235 | Jr. | Redondo Beach, Calif.
50 | Penei Pavihi | 6-2 | 250 | Fr. | Pago Pago, American Samoa
WEAK-SIDE LINEBACKER
27 | Solomon Matautia | 6-1 | 230 | So. | Ewa Beach
10 | Jeremiah Pritchard | 6-0 | 210 | So. | Leone, American Samoa
ROVER
26 | Justice Augafa | 5-11 | 205 | Jr. | Anchorage
16 | Kalen Hicks | 6-3 | 200 | So. | Las Vegas
