Getting Joey Iosefa back on the field boosted Hawaii’s offensive production late last season.
A challenge for the coaches in the spring and summer was keeping the burly senior corralled on the sideline.
After missing all of fall camp and being limited to five games by a foot injury last year, Iosefa was a full participant in practices in the spring and training camp this time around. Except, that is, for the Rainbow Warriors’ full-contact scrimmages leading up to the season opener.
"You can feel his presence, that he wants to play," sophomore running back Steven Lakalaka said.
Keeping the fifth-year senior healthy for the season is the priority over taking hits from his teammates in scrimmages. He figures to have ample opportunity to unleash his pent-up energy come game nights. Once his foot healed completely, Iosefa averaged 31 carries and 146.5 yards while scoring five touchdowns in UH’s final four games of last season. He also caught a touchdown pass and threw for a score in the season finale.
Despite the Iosefa-centric approach to the running game late last season, first-year running backs coach Wayne Moses has some options in distributing the carries this fall.
"Everybody’s gotta come in and contribute because Joey can’t do it all," Moses said. "Everybody’s gotta play a part in this deal."
Lakalaka started four games last year. He ended his freshman season by running for 104 yards and a touchdown against Army and reported for camp with a leaner build to improve his quickness.
"He really had a nice offseason in the summer committing himself," Moses said. "I’m excited to see Steven play. His weight is really befitting him. He’s 210 and quick, seeing stuff (and) reacting."
Diocemy Saint Juste displayed bursts of his potential as a speed threat out of the backfield as a freshman. Junior-college transfer Dominique Small has shown an ability to get to the perimeter of the defense at times in camp.
Jason Muraoka also returns to the depth chart and Ryan Tuiasoa, who succeeded Lakalaka as Punahou’s featured back in high school, joined the group after playing linebacker at Weber State last year. Versatile Justin Vele could line up at fullback or tight end depending on the situation. But even when he’s not on the field, Iosefa will probably find a way to contribute.
"He helps me every day with my blocking, with the reads, with my alignment," Lakalaka said. "He’s a great mentor."
