When Norm Chow participated in his first NCAA training camp, gas was 35 cents a gallon, the University of Hawaii’s tuition was $115 a semester, and UH’s football team was known as the Rainbows.
Forty-three years later, the Warriors have been rebranded as the Rainbow Warriors, and Chow remains as enthusiastic entering his second season as UH head coach.
"My first fall camp was in 1970 — 43 years ago — and I never missed one," Chow said. "It’s still exciting. When it’s not exciting, it’s time to get out. The players keep you going. The support system keeps you going. It’s an exciting time of year."
The Warriors have undergone a makeover since going 3-9 in 2012. Offensive coordinator Aaron Price and graduate assistant Jordan Wynn were brought in to assist Chow, who will continue to call the offensive plays. Former NFL player Chris Naeole was hired as line coach.
The Warriors will open the passing attack — they were 118th in total offense last year — and employ more deceptive schemes on defense.
"I think you can be simple and complicated at the same time by disguising coverages," defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said.
Here’s a look at the team entering today’s first practice of training camp:
Quarterback
Taylor Graham, who redshirted in 2012 after transferring from Ohio State, will take the first snap of training camp. Barring an implosion, Graham will remain at No. 1. Chow praised Graham’s arm strength, football IQ and the "it" factor exemplified in commanding the huddle. But Graham has not played regularly since before he was injured during his senior year of high school.
Sean Schroeder, who started 11 of 12 games last year after transferring from Duke, has recovered from April 1 back surgery. Jeremy Higgins, who recently was placed on scholarship, and Ikaika Woolsey, who redshirted last year, are contending for playing time.
Running backs
Even before Joey Iosefa suffered a fracture in his left foot last week, the Warriors were facing a restructuring in the backfield. Sterling Jackson completed his eligibility, John Lister filed a transfer request to pursue a master’s in athletic training, and Will Gregory, last year’s leading rusher, was expelled after breaking dormitory rules. Iosefa might resume practicing in the week leading to the Aug. 29 opener against USC. Until then, freshmen Diocemy Saint Juste, Aofaga Wily, Max Broman and Steven Lakalaka will split the reps. Willis Wilson, who transferred from Washington, will receive consideration. Marcus Langkilde, the lone fullback on the active roster, also can play tailback.
Receivers
The Warriors hope to make big strides in the passing game after signing three receivers who are 6-foot-4 or taller (Marcus Kemp, Keith Kirkwood and Ammon Barker). Perhaps the best of the newcomers is 6-2 Vasquez Haynes, a transfer from Blinn College. He styles his game after Terrell Owens, who also wore No. 81. Keelan Ewaliko, who was one of the state’s top prep quarterbacks last year, is moving to receiver. Don’t count out Ewaliko on fly sweeps or as a wildcat.
Of the returnees, Chris Gant was the most productive in the spring. Billy Ray Stutzmann led with 35 catches in 2012. Allen Sampson, who missed the 2012 season after undergoing a second knee operation, is healthy again. Scott Harding will be used as a wide receiver or slotback.
Tight ends
Jordan Pu’u-Robinson, who began his career at Washington State, is on the move again, this time switching from defensive end to tight end. Of the O-line tight ends, he has the surest hands. Craig Cofer, who also has played defensive end, is the position’s best blocker. Harold Moleni probably wil be used more at F, the off-line tight end, who can align as a fullback or receiver. Justin Vele, a converted fullback, played well at the F in spring training camp before suffering a foot injury. He probably won’t be ready to resume practicing until after training camp.
Offensive line
The Warriors moved quickly to replace left tackle Blake Muir, who transferred. Sean Shigematsu, Leo Koloamatangi, Mike Milovale and David Griffin will rotate at the two tackle positions. Shigematsu has recovered from a variety of injuries. Koloamatangi gained more than 30 pounds while redshirting last year. Griffin, a junior college transfer, arrived in January. Milovale, who was mostly a guard last year, played left tackle the final week of spring training.
Kody Afusia, Dave Lefotu and Sully Wiefels are the top guards, although Milovale also could return there. John Wa’a, a freshman from Kahuku High, and RJ Hollis, a transfer from Scottsdale College, can be used at tackle or guard.
Ben Clarke is the center, and his high school classmate, Brenden Urban, and Afusia are the backups.
Defensive line
It was an ominous sight when nose tackle Calen Friel limped off the practice field midway through the 2012 training camp. Friel, who would be lost for the season because of the fractured fibula, was the first of several interior linemen on defense to suffer a significant injury. At one point, the Warriors used defensive end Beau Yap and a 5-foot-9 walk-on as defensive tackles.
The Warriors addressed depth concerns through recruiting, the offseason conditioning program and a new strategy. Defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii of Waianae High is one of the prizes of the 2013 recruiting class. He weighs 285 but looks like he’s 235, and was one of the quickest linemen in team testing.
Tackles Moses Samia and Siasau "Saui" Matagiese have recovered from injuries. Friel, who was expected to move to the offensive line, will stay put on defense. Mike Andrade, who redshirted in 2012, and Dejon Allen, a grayshirt who recently was cleared to play, are the other defensive tackles.
Yap, who has recovered from a fractured foot suffered in spring training, and Tavita Woodard are the No. 1 ends. Last year, Yap and Woodard each averaged more than 60 plays per game (the Warriors were on defense for 69.2 plays a game). Defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer would like to cut their workload to 40 to 50 plays per game. The intent is to keep both defenders fresh while providing more work for Marcus Malepeai and UCLA transfer Iuta Tepa. Malepeai was recruited as a defensive end but was forced to play as a 250-pound tackle last year. He has since gained 30 pounds, giving him the flexibility to be used as a tackle or the 5-technique end who plays across from the tight end. Tepa also is viewed as two-position player who can be used at tackle or end.
Freshman defensive ends Meffy Koloamatangi and David Manoa will have a chance to compete for rotation spots in training camp.
Linebackers
This camp’s focus will be more on fundamentals than personnel. Last year, the Warriors missed too many tackles, including eight potential sacks, and relinquished too many post-catch yards. Several daily drills will emphasize tackling and narrowing gaps.
Experience and depth will not be problems. The Warriors return six linebackers who started games in 2012, Three of them — Jerrol Garcia-Williams, Benny Fonua and TJ Taimatuia — are listed as strongside linebackers. But except in the middle, where Brenden Daley exited the spring at No. 1, the linebackers can be used at more than one spot. Fonua and Taimatuia were in the middle last year. Lance Williams can play all three positions. Art Laurel, who led with 1.23 backfield tackles per game, and Julian Gener, a junior college transfer, can play on the weak or strong side. When the Warriors shift to a 3-4 formation, Laurel and Gener will be the outside linebackers. Kamalani Alo will be used in sub-packages on the weak side or in the middle. "Kama is smart, he has a good feel, and he did a good job for us last year and in the spring," Kaumeyer said.
The key will be Daley, who has emerged as a defensive leader. The wake-up call came when he missed a wake-up call last year, resulting in being bumped from a road trip. Since then, he has taken the lead in offseason workouts. Tevita Lataimua, a transfer from College of San Mateo, and Drake Miller, a freshman, are the other middles. "I’m not looking to redshirt anybody," Kaumeyer said. "We want them competing all the time."’
Defensive backs
The Warriors were 11th nationally in pass defense (182.7 yards per game), but their top cover defender — cornerback Mike Edwards, now with the New York Jets — opted to relinquish his senior season. FuDarrell "Dee" Maggitt and Ne’Quan Phillips exited spring training as the No. 1 cornerbacks. Maggitt spent the summer improving his strength to contend with push-off receivers. Phillips, who is a physical defender, has worked on his finesse. Tony Grimes, who started four games, is in the rotation.
Anthony Pierce, who joined in January as a grayshirt, and Barry Higdon, a much-sought recruit, will be in the mix. Pierce, whose father Antonio Pierce is a former NFL linebacker, was impressive in spring. He is an improved bump-and-run defender. The wild card is Brian Clay, who redshirted as a sophomore in 2012. Clay projects to eventually become a safety. The internal debate is whether to keep him at corner, a need position this year, or move him to safety, where he eventually will play.
John Hardy-Tuliau, Marrell Jackson and Charles Clay enter camp as the top safeties. In sub-packages, all three are on the field, with Hardy-Tuliau moving to nickelback. Kawika Borden had a good spring, and Ryan Pasoquen, who was the No. 1 nickelback in the 2012 spring practice, has recovered from a torn ACL. Mike Martin, who redshirted in 2012, moved from corner to safety and produced some of the best test scores in speed and agility drills this summer. Trayvon Henderson is expected to compete for a rotation spot.
Specialists
The drawback to three specialists invited to the 2013 NFL combine is the Warriors must replace three specialists. The most complicated void is long-snapper. Brian Hittner is awaiting NCAA clearance. Freshman walk-ons Brodie Nakama and JR Colton have been invited to camp. Tyler Liana, a walk-on from Farrington, joins on Aug. 26, when roster limits are lifted. Borden, Afusia and Yap also can moonlight as long-snappers.
Junior college transfers Ruben Guzman and Jackson Dionne will compete as successors to punter Alex Dunnachie. Dionne also is a place-kicker. Tyler Hadden, who has recovered from hernia surgery, returns as the place-kicker. Joe Uglietto, who redshirted in 2012 after transferring from Colgate, also will compete at kicker.
Gant and Saint Juste get the first shots at replacing Edwards as kickoff returners.
