Should they stay or should they go?
It is one thing to size up Sam Ohai — who, for the record, is 6 feet 2 and 340 pounds. It is another to determine how he measures in the Hawaii football team’s plans.
"I hope I make it," Ohai said.
There are two practices remaining in spring training — tomorrow evening’s Warrior Bowl at the Ching Athletic Complex, and a rescheduled workout Monday.
After that, the UH coaches will make cuts to clear room for up to 30 recruits, transfers and invited walk-ons who will be joining the Warriors this summer. There are 109 players on the spring roster. The NCAA limits the training-camp roster to 105. The roster may expand on the first day of the fall semester, but few additions are expected.
"There are a lot of things involved, like gender equity and the cost associated with fielding such a large team," said associate head coach Rich Miano, who coordinates the Warriors’ walk-on program. "We’re going to have to make some tough decisions — decisions that involve people’s dreams. It’s the hardest thing we do."
No scholarship player is expected to be cut, although there is a possibility a couple might not be asked to report until the first day of the fall semester.
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This spring, the Warriors have provided ample work for each of the players. To ensure fairness, there were no scout teams, allowing each player to work in the system.
Every active player on the spring roster traveled to Hilo for last Saturday’s scrimmage. A full-contact 7-on-7 scrimmage was staged yesterday to provide additional reps. Tomorrow’s Warrior Bowl will be the final audition this spring.
"Football is not really a fair game, and not everyone is going to get the same opportunities," offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said. "You’d like to say everyone will get the same opportunities. Everybody is going to get a look. That’s about all you can say."
During yesterday’s punt-return drills, Miano — coordinating the special teams because Dick Tomey missed practice due to "back issues" — reminded players that the "eye in the sky does not lie." That was a reference to every drill being recorded on video, which will be evaluated by the coaches.
"Take a guy like Rykin Enos," Miano said. "When it comes down to who the safeties are, he’s probably going to make it because of his special teams play.
"For guys on the bubble, it’s going to come down to how they play on special teams, how they can contribute to our team."
Cornerback Terry Wilson, whose brother Charles Gordon played in the NFL, is battling for a roster spot. Wilson said he grew up at the crossroads of influences.
"I was always in the middle of who I wanted to be like," said Wilson, who was raised in Carson, Calif. "Sometimes I would be in trouble, and other times I would do well in school. Being away on my own helped me focus more."
Ohai, who was raised in the Washington D.C. area, attended three different junior colleges before enrolling at UH in 2010. He is a licensed Realtor who uses his past commissions to pay for his tuition and expenses. He also volunteers as a mentor for Farrington High students.
"Physically, I’m the biggest guy on the line," Ohai said. "I think I bring another dimension to it, as far as run-stopping and collapsing the pocket."
Will that be enough for a player who didn’t pass a walk-on tryout last year, and has only one season of eligibility remaining?
"I’m not focusing on things I can’t control," Ohai said. "I’ve been trying to do my best every practice. Whether I make it or not, I’ll keep working at whatever opportunity comes up. It’s been a long ride. I hope to keep the ride going."