Two linebackers from California are seeking inside jobs in their first year with the University of Hawaii football team.
Simon Poti, a transfer from Fullerton Community College, and Malachi Mageo, a 2014 Serra High graduate, are in the rotation at inside linebacker in the Warriors’ new 3-4 scheme.
“I’m happy they’re here,” said defensive coordinator Kevin Clune, who was the point recruiter for both players. “I think they have bright futures.”
Poti has shared reps with the No. 1 defense.
“He’s a hitter, and he’s a football guy, and he understands how to finish,” Clune said of Poti. “There’s something about inside ’backers knowing how to flow and how to move within that whole mass of bodies in the (tackle) box. He’s got that. He brings the wood.”
Clune said he has known Poti since he was a junior at Fullerton High. Then Poti went to Fullerton College, where Clune was a defensive lineman and then linebacker coach and special teams coordinator.
“I’ve known about him for a long time,” Clune said.
Clune also has deep ties with Mageo. Last week, Mageo forced turnovers in three consecutive scrimmage-like sessions.
Clune decided early not to use Mageo, who is 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, at safety.
“He’s got great linebacker instinct,” Clune said of Mageo. “I expect great things from him in the future. He’s just an instinctive player who knows what to do.”
Clune said he expects Mageo to gain about 20 pounds before next year’s training camp.
“He’s going to carry over that speed and smarts, and it’s going to be a good thing,” Clune said. “There’s something about a guy who’s born to play linebacker. The hitting, the guy who likes to be in the mix, who likes to be in the fight, he’s that type of guy. Put 20 pounds of muscle on him and he’ll be a stud.”
OL still shuffling
The Warriors continue to shuffle the offensive line.
For Monday’s morning practice, offensive tackle John Wa‘a again was at left guard, and fifth-year seniors Sean Shigematsu and Dave Lefotu were at right tackle and right guard.
Wa‘a, a second-year freshman, was the No. 1 right tackle for the first 10 days of training camp. On Saturday, Wa‘a moved to left guard because of ailments to Dejon Allen and Elijah Tupai. Allen has recovered. Tupai, who has concussion-like symptoms, is not expected to be cleared to practice until Friday.
Shigematsu and Lefotu had been restricted because of injuries and other circumstances. Both practiced with the No. 1 unit.
Of the offensive line, coach Norm Chow said, “we’ll figure it out.”
Demarest gets replacement
On Saturday, special teams coordinator Chris Demarest spoke about needing a replacement for a cracked megaphone.
A reader then donated a megaphone.
“I want to thank the guy,” Demarest said. “That was very generous.”