Warriors add rush end
The Warriors boosted their pass rush with the addition of Zach Ritner of Capistrano Valley (Calif.) High.
Ritner is 6 feet 3 and 240 pounds.
This past season, he amassed 24.5 sacks, 27 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hurries. Of his 60 tackles, 51 were solo stops.
“I really put in a lot of work in the offseason with my defensive line coach,” Ritner told the Star-Advertiser. “He really knows what he’s talking about.”
Here’s his highlight video: Zach Ritner
Earlier this week, the Warriors also received commitments from defensive end Derek Thomas and multi-purpose player Jonah La‘ulu, who has played every position on the defensive line. All could compete to fill the void left by Meffy Koloamatangi and David Manoa, both of whom finished their UH careers.
Last year, the Warriors amassed 15 sacks in the first four games, but had nine in the next eight. In four games, they did not have a sack. The defensive ends contributed 9.5 of the 24 sacks.
Year/Sacks/Games/Average Per Game/Coordinator
2017: 24 (in 12 games) — 2.0 per game (Legi Suiaunoa)
2016: 24 (14) — 1.71 (Kevin Lempa)
2015: 25 (13) — 1.92 (Tom Mason/Abe Elimimian)
2014: 24 (13) — 1.85 (Kevin Clune)
2013: 26 (12) — 2.17 (Thom Kaumeyer)
2012: 28 (12) — 2.33 (Thom Kaumeyer)
2011: 35 (13) — 2.69 (Dave Aranda)
2010: 20 (14) — 2.14 (Dave Aranda)
2009: 19 (13) — 1.46 (Dave Aranda)
2008: 36 (14) — 2.57 (Greg McMackin, Cal Lee)
Pressure up front is a must for defensive success. Hope these young men are up to the task.
Go Warriors!!!!
Elua!
Nice looking defenders in the last few commits! Keep it coming, coaches!
I agree with you Haka! Now, let’s get some big boys for the O-line!
Sounds like M. Milton may be thinking about transferring. Unless the new coach shifts his system to adjust to his skills set, he would be better off going elsewhere. I wonder if he has already had talks with Frost about following to Nebraska. He does have a red shirt year to use. Although he would have to sit out and lose some momentum that he gained this year, it could be better in the long run rather than stay with a coach who runs a more drop back and sit in the pocket type of system.
What? In his radio interview this morning on BC’s show Milton showed no signs he was even considering transferring anywhere including Nebraska. He talked about the number of things including the play makers he has returning, looking forward to working with a coach known for developing QB’s, UCF increasing their Heisman campaign for next year, looking forward to working with Frost one more time, then the anticipation of learning the new offense next spring … not even a hint of wanting to transfer.
I heard the same as Turfwar. Milton looking forward to new head coach and playing with his teammates at UCF.
Should have thought of this earlier – a “Zach Sack Attack”!
That is all…
Check out the video of Zach Ritner posted by ST above. At the 1:28 mark, he pushes the triple team backwards into the qb and ends up with the sack.
DPK
I asked Ritner if he had a nickname.
He said, no.
I’m thinking his first name is Zach and he had a lot of sacks and what rhymes with Zach …?
McKenzie Milton is not going anywhere.
Make that, he would be foolish to go anywhere.
Why sit out?
Why leave a good offensive coach?
Does he want to play at the next level or does he want to play only for Scott Frost?
If I were Frost, I would have stayed another year. I think Nebraska is a great job … in the 1990s.
#8. I was thinking the exact same thing.
4. I got the impression that 3. got from Bobby’s show today.
Milton said he would see how spring practice goes and then go from there because he’s seen that Josh Heupel has run more of the drop back QB type of offenses as Bobby mentioned to him.
Why would any UH fan care one iota about Milton? He didn’t care a wit when he left the UH late in the recruiting process to go across the country to play for one of the only teams in the nation with a worse record than the Warriors. I wish people would let these guys go when they clearly don’t have a sense of loyalty to their own state university. I don’t hate Milton … I just don’t care about him!
Stay put, young man (M. Milton). Orlando is a far nicer place to live and go to school. Lots of things to do there. Even Frost said that he’ll probably retire in Orlando and not sell his house. Lincoln on the other hand…….well, there’s the mall to hand out at.
Nice highways in Florida (my impression when I visited there). The result of tolls.
Agree with Keith, though. I care about UH players (from here and elsewhere). What ever happened to locals who went away such as John Kamana, Carter Kamana, Ladd Akeo, Kaulana Park, Leroy Lutu? Not hating on them and happy if they’re doing well in their careers here and on the mainland, but it’s just a case of out of sight and out of mind. Former UH players such as Blane Gaison is an example of a person who excelled as an educator, coach, and administrator in the local community. Just familiar with guys like him (former UH players) and have seen what they’ve done after their playing days were done.
If you are from Hawaii than you should care about all the kids that come out of Hawaii even if they don’t play for the home team. If he decided to transfer back than all would be forgiven?? C’mon man Hawaii should be proud of all of their sons. Would he have had the same success here? I don’t think so.
Just win games and everything will take care of itself. Hawaii only has to win 6 games to be in home town bowl. That could have easily been done this year. This team has talent!!!
Coach Rolo’s win loss record gives him little bargaining power. The higher salary should be a reward not a given.
I can wait for Xmas. I can’t wait for NLI Day and formally welcoming incoming Warriors like Zach, Derek, Jonah L, Chevan, Jeremy, Khoury, Erik, Baraka, Jonah P, Kai, etc.
Yes U was upset that Milton decided to go to UCF instead of UH. But he’s a local boy and I care no matter where they go.
I also listened to him in Bobby’s show twice. He gave Heupel credit for a good resume. However he is aware his background has been tall drop back passers. He’s focused on the Peach Bowl and looks forward to spring ball to see how he fits or likes the new offense. Perfect answer regarding his future. It sounds to me that Spring ball will answer all his questions.
This is my take. Why would anyone choose to play in an offense that doesn’t fit his style? If he feels he can be successful at Nebraska with Frost he should sit one year and go. He could be the one to bring back Nebraska back to respectability. Mack took over for JJ and tried to run his version of the R&S. Not quite the same, but it never is.
#12 Sangoman Keith I totally agree with you! I have been saying this for years: aside from maybe the players family and close friends, who cares where they go and what they do if they don’t play for UH? As a UH fan, I certainly don’t care about them. All these people that say they are repping Hawaii is a bunch of bs. You are only repping Hawaii if it says HAWAII on your uniform!
I think Mariota represents Hawaii quite nicely. He even paid for the Boys and Girls club to attend a game here. He could have donated anything (maybe he did that as well) but he did give the club a UH game experience. I can’t blame the elite (3 plus star) Hawaii athlete for opting to go elsewhere to maximize their NFL potential. I think they do realize that there will be some detachment from the fans here. A sizable amount of them do make it back and are always welcomed so we don’t despise them as much as we think. We get what we get and I feel we always appreciate those (from anywhere) who chose to become Hawaii Warriors.
da link does not work for me on my new iPad 🙄 do I have a lemon 🍋
Welcome Zach!!
Milton should stay at Central Florida.
As Brian Wilson once sang, “Be True to Your School”.
I thought the high turnover of players would end for the UH men’s basketball program after Gib Arnold was let go.
When Coach Ganot’s post player recruits arrive next season, I hope Ido Flashier and Zigmars Raimo, plodding as they are, stick around, although in Ido’s case, I understand why he would want to return home.
I have nothing against Hawaii’s second walk-on, but whenever I see him on the court, I think about the Texas San-Antonio transfer who is now playing DII at our sister school.
Old School Dave
Carter Kamana was roommates with Ron Posa, whose son was at Alabama for three years After graduating, Ron’s son — at the urging of Carter — transferred to UH. And that’s how Chris Posa became a starting offensive lineman.
Every connection helps.
I wonder if a coach has ever taken over a team with an undefeated record and returning quarterback?
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