Hawaii football: Offensive line shuffles at Practice No. 6
A day after delivering the hits in a fully padded workout, the Warriors were back in “shells” — shoulder pads and shorts — for Thursday’s sixth practice of training camp.
The focus was in the middle, where true sophomore Solo Vaipulu was the center with the No. 1 offense. Vaipulu, who started all 14 games at right guard in 2018, is filling in for Kohl Levao, who is expected to miss most of the remaining days of training camp with an undisclosed injury.
Gene Pryor has experience at guard, but it was decided to keep him at right tackle, where he is the projected starter. Michael Eletise, who transferred from Arizona in May, is still awaiting an NCAA decision on whether he will be allowed to play this season.
The past two practices, Micah Vanterpool, a third-year sophomore, has filled in for Vaipulu at right guard. It was during the spring when Vanterpool made the move from tackle.
“They were shuffling me around, trying new positions,” Vanterpool said of line coach Mark Weber‘s experiments. “Coach told me to always be ready to get on the field. I just changed to guard.”
At tackle, Vanterpool had to fend off speedy edge rushers. Inside, he noted, “guys are a little bigger, a little stronger.”
Vanterpool, who is 6-6, weighed 260 when he first enrolled at UH in June 2017. He is now up to 290.
The added weight, along with his 7-foot-1 wingspan, have helped him adjust to guard.
“God blessed me with long arms,” he said. “I can get on people pretty fast.”
The line helped the offense bounce back during team drills today. In 7-on-7 drills, quarterbacks Cole McDonald, Chevan Cordeiro and Justin Uahinui were held to under 50-percent passing. But they played much better in the team session. The highlight was McDonald sprinting to the right, then lofting a pass to Jason-Matthew Sharsh for the touchdown.
Unfortunately for UH fans, this was the last public practice of the preseason. Practices tomorrow and Saturday will be moved off campus because of weather concerns and not open to the public. (The Ching Athletic Complex’s field is not available because of the installation of the new track.)
Line’em up and work! Everyone’s gotta step it up and bring it…everyday!
Go Warriors!
The craziest thing was when Corey Batoon called for the “four nickel.”
Four?
Hawaii is so deep it has a fourth-string defense.
Depth, especially on defense, will keep the team fresh, creative, consistent and unpredictable. Let’s hope the four nickel is the prevent six through four quarters of my two cents! As Charlie says, “it ain’t depth unless you use it”.
I thought Sunia was terrific when he filled in for Vaipulu in the game (I think it was Nevada?) that Vaipulu had a mini meltdown (one or two personal foul penalties) and needed to be subbed out. I recall Vanterpool was not as effective when he filled in some (for Hensley?) last year, He seemed hampered by an injured leg and a rather large knee brace. But meaningful reps for him. Nuuanu-Kuhiiki and Tuulima too.
With practices closed, it looks like the Arizona game will be a surprise package. Perhaps it’s best this way.
H-man
They always say opening games are blind dates. But with 18 returning starters and all the full-time coaches back, there’s a lot of info out there on the Warriors.
This is actually a blessing, toying with our substitution packages and getting much needed reps for folks who can be part of the rotation during the season.
Sackkabooya
Nice observation on Sunia. This should be his breakout year. He’s been in the program a while.
Boolakanaka
I was surprised when Vanterpool was moved inside. I just envisioned him as an edge guy. Hey, he’s a former basketball player. Then again, I’m always surprised when it goes the other way, with guards move to tackle, such as Dejon Allen, Ben Clarke, Fred Ulu-Perry. It all seems to work out.
Is there any 1st team lineup, etc. for the Defensive side like the one Stephen made for the Offensive side ?
Saturday’s scrimmage will be at Aloha Stadium.
Maybe a first date. It’s all new and exciting. Will we kiss, or go home disappointed?
The Rams paid UH to use the UH practice field so the field has to be not beat up.
ah, August already!!
change is in the air! yes, ‘dumkuft’ because there are 2 hurricanes near Hawaii and a 3rd on the way
last time i heard of Hurricane Gilbert, I was attending classes at Hurlbert Field in the Florida panhandle and it roared on shore at New Orleans 2 days before we arrived for a 2-day lay-over on our way home — August of 1977
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