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/
From all indications, these UH recruits will grayshirt this season: • Ipulasi Eselu, defensive end, Moanalua High • Calen Friel, defensive end, Kailua High • Dominick Sierra, linebacker, La Habra High • Marcus Umu, safety, Saint Louis School * * * * * Defensive lineman Moses Samia, a freshman from Saint Louis School, will focus solely on football and not play baseball in 2011. * * * * * Can’t remember if I ran this photo of Dustin Blount, Ryan […]
Not sure how I feel about a proposed student fee, most of which will benefit the athletic department, because I’m not a UH student (although I’m on campus every weekday). I wouldn’t want to pay a fee if I didn’t attend sports events. Then again, I wouldn’t want to pay the activity fee if I didn’t attend Campus Center events or the bus-pass fee if I didn’t use the bus or a tuition hike if I didn’t want to compensate […]
A few notes: • Matagisila Lefiti, who was projected to be the No. 1 center, said he might miss the first three games while recovering from surgery on his left foot. He said he suffered the injury when a teammate “rolled” onto his foot during the spring game. He underwent surgery in mid-May, and was told the rehabilitation period was about four months. “I should be ready mid-September,” Lefiti said. He said there are pins in his left foot to […]
Every homegrown star football player who goes to a Mainland school experiences, to some degree, the LeBron-like backlash. Is it fair? Probably not. Island sons have a right to do what’s best for themselves and their families. Would it be different for UH fans if a Hawaii-raised player plays two years for the Warriors, then decides to transfer because he wants to go a team with a better chance to go to a BCS game? Your thoughts. * * * […]
This whole LeBron James decision show reminded me — on a local scale, of course — of Colt Brennan’s news conference in 2007. Deep down, I was hoping James would stay in Cleveland, much like how it was important to UH fans that Brennan return for his senior season. James, as expected, chose Miami Sympathy to Cavalier fans. Here’s Colt’s news conference. * * * * * Mike Pettine, Mike Smith Mike Pettine, defensive coordinator of the New York J-E-T-S […]
About 80 Warriors participated in today’s 11-on-11 drills at the Ching Athletic Complex field. One of the spectators was former UH defensive end Travis LaBoy, now with the San Francisco 49ers: * * * * * Also attending was former graduate assistant coach Mike Smith, now a defensive assistant with the New York Jets. Here’s Smith with safety Spencer Smith: * * * * * * Here’s llinebacker Pookela Ahmad with the interception return: * * * * * * […]
It takes a combination of skill, good health, opportunity and good performance to become a four-year starter, which is what made John Estes and Kaulana such rarities. Each started every game of his UH career. So, too, did Dan Kelly, but he was a kicker — usually a less-physical position, although the Iceman did not know that. Linebacker Solomon Elimimian started all but two games. But he played every game of his UH career. Kealoha Pilares also has started nearly […]
Earlier this year, the Warriors received grief for capping the number of defensive tackles they would pursue in recruiting. But the Warriors had a two-fold strategy: • They did not want to overload at a position. (Remember in 2005, when the Warriors had eight nose tackles, and a guy like Lawrence Wilson didn’t get to play?) • They already have some players in the system. Haku Correa has emerged as rotation guy, and transfers Kaniela Tuipulotu and Josh Manapuna are […]