Warrior Beat

The Warriors end their 32-day spring training with today’s Spring Fling, a festival of keiki activities, autograph session and, of course, the 15th spring practice. The event starts at 5 p.m. at UH’s Ching Athletic Complex. Because of injuries and other circumstances, the Warriors probably will conduct situational scrimmage-like sessions instead of a full-on game. Defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said there will be a post-spring organizational chart, noting where each player played, but not an actual depth chart. Competition continues […]

It has been said successful football teams are built from the inside, and one of first-year head coach Nick Rolovich’s spring plans was to reorganize the locker room. “We switched all their lockers up,” Rolovich said. “We went local guy, African-American, white guy, California (guy), local guy, Samoan …” He added: “We all have to learn about each other. When all the guys from California are on one side of the locker room and the local boys are on the […]

Defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa could count the number of available players on his hands and feet. “Maybe 20,” Lempa said of the defensive count for yesterday’s practice. “That’s not that many.” The manpower shortage led to the Warriors working mostly on pass defense and two-minute drills during practice. But it also created opportunities for three walk-on defensive backs with the same first name — Austin Borengasser, Austin “PK” Pang-Kee and Austin Gerard. “I give the guys credit who are out […]

Following today’s spring practice, head coach Nick Rolovich addressed several areas. > Rolovich said the QB competition will extend into training camp in August. “Nobody’s separated to a point where we feel like the other guys can’t catch him,” Rolovich said. “It’s up and down. Guys have up-and-down days. We need more consistency from that position.” > He said the QBs have made progress learning this hybrid offense. “They just need more and more reps right now,” Rolovich said. “But […]

> Defensive tackle Kennedy was charged with two counts of assault in the third degree, as well as resisting arrest and harassment, stemming from his April 12 arrest at a McCully Street apartment complex. The assault charges replace the accusations of two counts of abuse of a family or household member. Because Tulimasealii and the witness did not live in the residence, among other factors, the charges were amended to assault. The assault and resisting arrest charges are misdemeanors; harassment […]

UH football notes: > Josaiah Maama, a defensive lineman from King’s Academy (Sunnyvale, Calif.), has made a verbal commitment to play for the Warriors in 2017. He is 6 feet 5 and 260 pounds. San Jose State and UNLV also made offers. Maama has relatives who live in Hawaii. Here’s his highlight video: Josaiah Maama > There were 46 high school players who attended the Warriors’ Junior Day yesterday. That doesn’t include an Aiea youth team that visited. > According […]

It was Junior Day in Manoa, with some of the state’s top 2017 prospects touring the campus and attending today’s 2-hour practice, which featured various scrimmage-like sessions. Here are videos from the Oklahoma drills: Daniel Lewis (15) video Paul Harris (2) 1 video Paul Harris (29) 2 video Defense video Steven Lakalaka (4) video Rashaan Falemalu (58) 1 video Rashaan Falemalu (58) 2 video * * * * * * On to the slideshow:

Terrence Sayles’ move from wideout to cornerback is not a unique transition in Warrior history. Blane Gaison made the move from offense to defense. Wayne Hunter was a UH defensive lineman before moving to offense and then enjoying a long NFL career as an offensive tackle. Michael Lafaele went from center to becoming the anchor of the 2007 defensive line. Here’s a look at current Warriors who made the switch: > Dejon Allen: He rotated between offense and defense — […]