Four players with diverse backgrounds — a married long-snapper with two children, an offensive lineman named after the lead male in the movie “Sixteen Candles,” a boar-hunting defensive lineman and an accomplished rugby player — are this year’s University of Hawaii football captains.
“That’s Hawaii for you,” long-snapper Noah Borden said. “That’s Hawaii football. That’s the islands. It’s a good representation of what we have to offer at the University of Hawaii football program. No matter where you’re from, no matter what you’re here to do, we all have the same purpose. We want to play football, and bring the team together, bring the community and islands together, and be the best we can be.”
Borden, offensive lineman Jake Ryan “J.R.” Hensley, defensive lineman Zeno Choi and middle linebacker Jahlani Tavai were selected in voting by teammates.
“Bleed, sweat … all the things you have to do with these guys day in and day out, it’s the best feeling in the world to know they care about you like that,” Hensley said of his selection.
Hensley said it has been a “dream” to earn a captain’s title.
“That’s something I always wanted,” said Hensley, a fourth-year junior from Edmond, Okla. “My role models were (former UH linemen) Leo Koloamatangi, Dejon Allen, R.J. Hollis, Ben Clarke from the jump. I wanted to be like them so bad. They kept telling me if I worked hard, kept my nose down, I’d be in the same position. It’s just a dream come true.”
Borden, who joined UH in 2015 after serving a two-year church mission, was admittedly surprised by his selection.
“You don’t really hear about long-snappers being one of the captains,” said Borden, a 2012 Kamehameha Schools graduate. “It reassures me I’m doing the right things in the offseason, making the right choices in the locker room and everywhere. I’m grateful for my teammates recognizing that. It makes me feel I’m being a good example for them and helping to bring the team closer together.”
Choi, a 2015 Kaiser High graduate, initially wanted to try out as a long-snapper for the Rainbow Warriors. He has since become a versatile defender who can play nose tackle, defensive tackle and end. Choi represented the Warriors at last month’s Mountain West Media Summit.
Tavai, who played on the national U-18 rugby team, has led the Warriors in tackles the past two seasons.
