The top playmakers on offense and defense have departed, but there will be an incumbent defensive coordinator for the first time since 2013.
As 2018 concludes, the University of Hawaii football team is preparing for the duality of change and continuity in the new year.
The Rainbow Warriors will be without slotback John Ursua, who has decided to forgo his senior season and apply for the 2019 NFL Draft, and linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who has graduated. But Corey Batoon, the Warriors’ ninth defensive coordinator since 2011, said he plans to continue his building plans in Manoa.
“This is home,” said Batoon, a Saint Louis School alumnus. “I enjoyed myself this year. I think next year will be exciting to work with these guys. We’re excited to get going again.”
The Warriors also will refine an offensive system — partly run-pass option, largely run-and-shoot — that is ninth nationally in passing yards per game (321.2).
“For the first year in the (renovated) offense, we probably exceeded our personal expectations of where we thought we’d be,” offensive coordinator Brian Smith said. “The brightest thing is how much of it returns.”
The Warriors will lose two 2018 offensive starters — Ursua and left wideout Marcus Armstrong-Brown — but return their top three quarterbacks, their starting linemen and main running backs.
Here’s a look at each position:
Quarterbacks
Initially viewed as a running quarterback who could throw, Cole McDonald proved he could reach all the branches of the passing tree — 58.2 percent of his completions resulted in first downs; he was involved in 35 pass plays of 25-plus yards. McDonald showed leadership while masking pain. This season, he conquered a knee ailment and an incident in which he suffered internal bleeding.
In a four-game cameo, freshman Chevan Cordeiro directed two game-winning drives. While Cordeiro was familiar with the UH’s passing game — he ran a similar scheme at Saint Louis School a year earlier — he learned the intricacies of the RPO. Jeremy Moussa is learning to tone down his powerful throws and search for under-coverage receivers. Cordeiro and Moussa met the requirements to count this as a redshirt year, giving both four remaining seasons of eligibility.
Receivers
As a teaching tool on the run-and-shoot reads last spring, the receivers viewed old videos of former Warriors Davone Bess, Ryan Grice-Mullins, Chad Owens, Greg Salas and Kealoha Pilares. This spring, the newcomers can learn from the returning right-side receivers —slotback Cedric Byrd (79 catches) and wideout JoJo Ward (16.9 yards per reception). Both will be seniors in 2019. Kumoku Noa, who redshirted this season, re-enters the mix. Noa can be used at slotback or wideout. Jason-Matthew Sharsh, who started in place of Ursua in the Hawaii Bowl, also can play at either position. This month, the Warriors signed junior college receivers Melquise Stovall, James Phillips and Jared Smart. All three will be enrolling at UH next week. Kahale Huddleston, who excelled in team sessions, and Robert Funkhouser, who took first-team reps during bowl practices, figure to be in the rotation.
Offensive line
Of all the departures following the 2017 season, the most impactful was center Asotui Eli’s medical retirement. But the Warriors rebuilt around one player with extended starting experience, left guard J.R. Hensley. Left tackle Ilm Manning and right guard Solo Vaipulu started every game as true freshmen. Kohl Levao, who transferred from City College of San Francisco in July, started the first 11 games at right tackle before moving to center. Levao is expected to remain in the middle during spring ball, although Vaipulu is a down-the-road option. Joey Nu‘uanu-Kuhi‘iki has adjusted to right tackle after moving from defensive end. With a line that was relatively healthy, the Warriors redshirted Gene Pryor and 6-8 Ernest Moore. Micah Vanterpool is expected to be in the rotation at tackle.
Running backs
The Warriors will return running backs who accounted for 91.3 percent of the carries and 92.2 percent of the rushing yards while averaging 4.4 yards per first-down attempt. Fred Holly III, Dayton Furuta and Miles Reed offer different skills. Hekili Keli‘liki, who did not have a carry as a second-year freshman in 2018, is poised to get more work in 2019,
Defensive line
The Warriors usually had a foundation of a nose tackle, 3-technique and defensive end. A rush end (Derek Thomas, Kaimana Padello) or strong-side linebacker was added to create a four-man front. Until he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, linebacker Jahlani Tavai often played on the line. Pumba Williams filled the linebacker-on-the-line role. Freshmen Jonah Kahahawai-Welch and Zach Rittner — both of whom redshirted — and Jeffrey Keene and Mason Mataafa will compete on the edge. Keene and Mataafa were limited because of injuries this year.
At the end spot known as bandit, recent signee Mason Vega will get a chance to succeed Zeno Choi, who played three positions on the line.
On the inside, Samiuela Akoteu, Kendall Hune and Makai Manuwai rotated at the 3. Akoteu was chosen as team captain following Tavai’s injury. Hune, who is better as an interior pass rusher, was named the Warriors’ most outstanding player for the Hawaii Bowl. Blessman Ta‘ala, who overcame a knee injury in 2017 to start at nose tackle, also can play the 3. Doug Russell, who lost 25 pounds; Eperone Moananu, and Justus Tavai are options at the nose.
Linebackers
Penei Pavihi made the successful move from strong-side linebacker to middle when Tavai was sidelined. Jeremiah Pritchard, who redshirted, is set to return. Pritchard, who did not play during the regular season, gave a sneak preview in a brief outing in the Hawaii Bowl.
The will linebacker position also is deep, with returnees Solomon Matautia, Scheyenne Sanitoa and Paul Scott. Tauivi Ho Ching, who signed two weeks ago, is expected to contribute at middle or will.
Secondary
The Warriors got by with three safeties most of the season. The thing was, Kalen Hicks, Ikem Okeke and true freshman Khoury Bethley were all recruited as linebackers. The safeties are central to UH’s 4-2-5 scheme. Kai Kaneshiro was recruited as a safety but used as an emergency cornerback. Kaneshiro, who retained his redshirt status, will return to safety in the spring. The Warriors anticipate adding another safety or two during the February signing period.
The Warriors also were a little thin at corner, especially when Eugene Ford relocated to nickelback. Ford will stay there, with Cameron Hayes as the main competition. Cortez Davis, a junior college transfer who joins next week, will be part of a cornerback rotation involving Rojesterman Farris II, Zach Wilson and Akil Francisco. James Green moved from receiver to cornerback during the bowl practices. He will remain on defense. Michael Washington, a grayshirt who joins this semester, is a contender at corner. Mykal Tolliver, who was injured all season, is not expected to return. The Warriors might sign another corner.
Specialists
The Warriors will return punters Stan Gaudion and Ben Scruton, as well as kicker Ryan Meskell (15-for-18 on field goals). Noah Borden, who did not have an errant snap during his UH career, has graduated. Wyatt Tucker, who redshirted this year, gets the first shot at long snapper.
