University of Hawaii quarterback Kyle Gallup’s body is a work of art and purpose.
On his back, there is a cross with the words: “I don’t know what my future holds but I know who holds my future.” On his side, there is a tattoo honoring a high school buddy who committed suicide. His left arm has a rose, lion and sword — love, lead and serve. He also has a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.
“They’re all very significant to me in my life and faith,” said Gallup, who will add another one this summer, this time designed by teammate Hunter Hughes.
Gallup also is hopeful of making his mark on the football field this year. He redshirted in 2016 after transferring from Marshall. This spring training, he is fourth on the depth chart behind quarterback Dru Brown, Cole Brownholtz and Cole McDonald. While he usually does not receive reps in scrimmage-like sessions, Gallup said, “I still have to pay attention, and when the time comes I have to take advantage of it.”
There might be other opportunities. On Tuesday, Gallup participated in the special-teams workouts.
“He’s a good athlete, a tough athlete,” coach Nick Rolovich said. “He could be a quarterback, if we need him. I can see him making an impact as one of those off-the-ball tight ends for us. I think he can have a role.”
Gallup, who is 6 feet 2 and 215 pounds, is the Rainbow Warriors’ strongest quarterback, capable of bench-pressing 320 pounds. His passion for weight training began at Chaparral High in Colorado.
“It was more of an outlet for me,” Gallup said. “When offseason came around, I came from a broken home, so it was important for me to go out and do things. When football wasn’t in season, there wasn’t anything for me to do. I took a liking to the weight room. I realized with my thickness, I can be more of a Tim Tebow quarterback, someone who is bigger and more versatile. That only improves my stock … if I wanted to play other positions.”
“Tebow” is part of Gallup’s Twitter name.
Back to offense
Wideout Don‘yeh Patterson is back on offense and, more importantly, back at his dream school.
After his freshman year in 2014, Patterson relinquished his football scholarship to be with his father, who was diagnosed with a stomach tumor, and help his younger siblings in Carson, Calif.
“It was a big thing,” Patterson said of leaving UH, “but I’d do anything for my family because they’d do anything for me. My dad is one of the big reasons I’m here (at UH). I felt I owed him that.”
After his father fully recovered, Patterson returned to UH as a walk-on last year. He helped out at cornerback in the fall but returned to wideout this spring. Patterson said he did not consider any other school.
“When I was a little kid, one of my biggest memories was Colt Brennan wearing the (UH) visor during the Senior Bowl,” Patterson said. “I used to watch all their games (on television) because Hawaii used to be the latest game.”
Sunia joins O line
To help the Warriors, Alesana Sunia agreed to cross the line.
Last week, Sunia moved from defensive tackle to offensive guard. “So far, so good,” said Sunia, who backs up right guard JR Hensley.
Sunia, a graduate of Leone High in American Samoa, signed a scholarship agreement with UH in June 2016. He redshirted last season, then was asked to switch to offense last week.
“When we signed him, we knew he had some versatility,” Rolovich said. “For spring, we decided to make the move. I think he’s a more natural offensive lineman. He’s kind of worked into the scheme pretty good. He brought some toughness to it.”