Warrior Beat

Expanded coverage of UH football, including practice notes, game analysis, recruiting info and observations on the Mountain West Conference.

About the blog host

Stephen Tsai covers University of Hawaii football for the Star-Advertiser. Follow him on Twitter @StephenTsai and sign up for the Hawaii football newsletter here: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/email-signup/

Latest news

Pair to grayshirt

By Stephen Tsai on June 27, 2013

It appears that Aiea’s Ualesi “Wesley” Sale and Kealakehe’s David Fangupo will grayshirt this season and join the Rainbow Warriors in January. Sale was named to the Star-Advertiser’s 2012 all-state third team as a linebacker. He played at 6-3 and 225 pounds. Fangupo, mostly a defensive lineman, was an Internet sensation after the You Tube release of his highlight video as a 350-pound running back. * * * * * Co-chair Princess Leila is offering two free tickets to Sunday’s […]

Two linemen join 2014 class

By Stephen Tsai on June 26, 2013

It appears the Rainbow Warriors’ magic number is 2014. The 2014 recruiting class expanded to seven members with the addition of Micah Kapoi of Kapolei High and Kaau Gifford of Kamehameha Schools. Kapoi is a 6-foot-4, 298-pound left tackle. Gifford, who is 6-4 and 250, projects to be a defensive tackle at UH. The Warrior Beat spoke with both players, each listing three factors in their decisions: 1) They want to play in front of family; 2) they want to […]

Washington back to join Warriors

By Stephen Tsai on June 25, 2013

Willis Wilson, a running back with the Washington Huskies the past three years, is set to join the Rainbow Warriors. There are several procedural steps that need to be cleared before it becomes official. If all goes according to plan, by joining as an initial walk-on, Wilson is expected to be eligible to play this coming season. Cornerback Dee Maggitt was helpful after Wilson decided he wanted to transfer. Both were raised in Washington. Wilson ,who is is from Lakewood, […]

Aloha Monday

By Stephen Tsai on June 24, 2013

It was the first day of college for more than a dozen Rainbow Warrior freshmen. The bridge session — which includes two three-credit classes — runs through the end of July. Among the newcomers are (from left) running back Diocemy Saint Juste, safety Trayvon Henderson and cornerback Barry Higdon: Here are defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimaselii, running back Faga Wily, offensive lineman John Wa‘a, wide receiver Keelan Ewaliko and linebacker Drake Miller: * * * * * It was a coincidence […]

Crossing that bridge

By Stephen Tsai on June 23, 2013

Assistant coach Chris “Demo” Demarest’s recruiting pitch involves letting a prospect kick the tires and check under the hood. He will talk about UH’s opportunities, assets and shortcomings. “Coach Demo told me how everything was going to be, and when I got out here, it was the way he said it would be,” cornerback Barry Higdon said. Higdon is one of several newcomers who begins the so-called bridge program tomorrow. The program, which is open to all UH students, runs […]

Richard Torres set to be GA

By Stephen Tsai on June 22, 2013

Former UH defensive back Richard Torres is expected to be named a graduate assistant for the Rainbow Warriors. The hiring is expected to be finalized following the completion of UH’s standard background check. But all of Torres’ qualifications can be found in newspaper and television archives. Torres, who first enrolled at UH as a 145-pound former wrestler, completed his four-year collegiate career as the 180-pound leader of the defensive secondary. He was a safety and nickelback with cornerback speed. Torres […]

Punahou’s Torres chooses UH

By Stephen Tsai on June 21, 2013

Punahou’s Dakota Torres has made an oral commitment to sign with the Rainbow Warriors. Torres, who will be a senior this coming academic year, is 6 feet 2 and 240 pounds. He can play tight end, linebacker and long-snapper. At the PIAA combine, he bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times. Here is his highlight video: Torres video. Torres is the fifth member of the 2014 recruiting class. The others are: • Samuela Lauaki, DL/OL, Cathedral High (Los Angeles) • Daniel […]

Catching on

By Stephen Tsai on June 20, 2013

With next week’s start of the bridge session, several newcomers are beginning to report to the football team. One newcomer — receiver Daniel Masifilo — already has been training for three weeks, and he has been one of the surprises of the player-coordinated unsupervised workouts. Masifilo is a tall receiver (6-3, 205) with sure hands and accurate route-running. He is a 2009 Campbell High graduate who was at Mount San Antonio College for a year and Arizona State for three […]