Getting to the University of Hawaii’s practice field on Friday required navigating around a series of construction projects.
Once the horn blew to signal the start of the Rainbow Warriors’ fall camp, the process of rebuilding their offensive backfield also began in earnest.
With Joey Iosefa — a junior expected to serve as the foundation for the unit — on crutches and a protective boot encasing his injured foot, the Warriors took the field without their top four ballcarriers from last season. Three freshmen and a junior transfer took the bulk of the handoffs out of a new-look backfield.
Freshman Diocemy Saint Juste and redshirt freshman Steven Lakalaka rotated with the first unit in team drills. Junior Willis Wilson and freshman Aofaga Wily worked with the second group. Marcus Langkilde is the top fullback.
"To be honest, I knew I came here not to sit around and just watch," said Saint Juste, who took the first handoff in the 11-on-11 period. "I didn’t expect to start right way, but I guess I have to push myself even more."
Iosefa injured his foot during conditioning drills and is expected to miss most of camp. He could return close to the Aug. 29 opener against USC. In his absence, the youngsters will have ample opportunity to make their case for a featured role in the offense.
"Everything will sort out when we put the pads on," running backs coach Chris Wiesehan said. "Everybody looks good running around in their underwear. We’ll see how they are ball security-wise and protection-wise when we put the pads on."
With a full year in the program, Lakalaka has yet to record a college carry, but ranks as one of the most experienced members of the group.
"We all have to step it up together," Lakalaka said. "On the field it’s a competition, but once you get off the field we have to help each other out. As long as we all know the plays, the best man will play."
Lakalaka entered camp at 221 pounds, down from 240 at the start of the summer, when new strength and conditioning coordinator Gary Beemer joined the staff, and is working to get to his target of 210.
"I lost a lot of fat, and I feel more explosive," Lakalaka said. "I’m eating well and feeling a lot stronger and a lot better."
The Warriors might need this year’s crop of freshmen to contribute right away. Saint Juste ran for 1,243 yards and 16 touchdowns for Santaluces High in Boynton Beach, Fla. Wily ended his high school career as the All-State Offensive Player of the Year and Kahuku’s all-time leading rusher.
"(Saint Juste) is a kid with great body balance and burst and vision. Aofaga is such a strong, powerful runner and he seems to be very bright, which is exciting because he could probably play multiple positions down the road, and he’s got good ball skills," Wiesehan said.
Wilson transferred to UH after spending three years at Washington, where he recorded one carry last year as a sophomore. His father, Jack Wilson Jr., attended UH, and Willis was born in Hawaii. He moved to the mainland when he was 4 and went on to become a decorated prep running back in Lakewood, Wash. He hadn’t been back before joining the team for offseason workouts this summer.
"I was born here, so I came back where I started and I saw a good opportunity to have a chance to show what I can do," Wilson said. "Plus I love it here."
