Full circle

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It was a homecoming of sorts when running back Willis Wilson, who transferred from the University of Washington, arrived in town yesterday.

“I was born here,” said Wilson, who spent his early years in Pearl City. “Then I moved to American Samoa, then to Arizona, then to Washington in high school.”

Wilson’s father, Jack Wilson, played for the Rainbow Warriors in the late 1980s. Wilson said his ancestry is Samoan and African American. “My auntie and cousins live here,” he said. “Technically, I’m local. I’m not a mainland guy.”

Wilson, who is joining the Warriors as a walk-on running back, attended yesterday’s player-orchestrated 7-on-7 drills.

“Hawaii seems like a good place to be,” said Wilson, whose high school teammate is UH cornerback Dee Maggitt.

“I knew Dee, so that seemed like a good place to start,” Wilson said.

Wilson was with the Huskies for three years. He redshirted his first year, and played in one game the past two seasons.

Of his decision to transfer, Wilson said, “I felt like, maybe, it didn’t work out (at Washington). It was nothing personal. It’s a business. I decided to come here. Hopefully, I can help Hawaii.”

As a walk-on, he will not have to redshirt this season.

“I’ve been waiting my whole life for an opportunity to play at the highest (college) level,” Wilson said. “I feel the opportunity is here. I have to work hard and grab it.”

* * * * *

Friday afternoon meant 53-yard gassers:

gassers

* * * * *

After that, the players were on their own for 7-on-7 drills.

Here’s cornerback Barry Higdon:

IMG_1589

* * * * *

Tight end Clark Evans:

clark evans


* * * * *

Higdon and slotback Allen Sampson:

hig:samp

* * * * *

Quarterback Taylor Graham:

tg call

tg throw

* * * * *

Running back Joey Iosefa:

JI

* * * * *

Defensive end George Daily-Lyles and quarterback Jeremy Higgins:

gdl:jh

* * * * *

Safety Marrell Jackson:

marjack

* * * * *


Tight end Craig Cofer:

cac

COMMENTS

  1. MU June 29, 2013 8:30 am

    Go warriors!!


  2. koakane ip5 June 29, 2013 8:34 am

    😎 morning wea da kope


  3. A-House June 29, 2013 8:39 am

    Sorry John Collins, I forgot to add your name to the Tsaiko group of Curveball, LTUHF, and Florida Ted for having the best seats in any venue to watch and cheer the Warrior football team!


  4. A-House June 29, 2013 8:42 am

    Welcome to all the new Rainbow Warriors for 2013 and those who have made a verbal commitment to join the team in 2014.

    We eagerly anticipate your contributions, large or small, for winning seasons and, hopefully, many bowl games!


  5. top5!!@ June 29, 2013 8:45 am

    5!!!!!


  6. Pahoa June 29, 2013 8:46 am

    We sure got some big guys with this Chow team


  7. Bowwar June 29, 2013 8:49 am

    Welcome Willis Wilson! We hope your career soars in Hawaii.


  8. Kapahulu June 29, 2013 9:23 am

    TOP TEN


  9. tommui June 29, 2013 9:25 am

    GOOD MORNING HAWAII!

    Top ten or somewhere around there.


  10. HiFlyer June 29, 2013 9:30 am

    Good morning to all you early risers.


  11. Rodney June 29, 2013 9:30 am

    Imua Warriors!!


  12. jjay June 29, 2013 9:48 am

    It’s Warrior time! Seven on Seven!


  13. Brad June 29, 2013 10:08 am

    What’s Willis’ height and weight? Is he going to be a speedy back like Diocemy?


  14. Brad June 29, 2013 10:09 am

    N/m 5’8″ 188lb thank you Google.


  15. HawaiiMongoose June 29, 2013 10:11 am

    Brad, the recruiting sites had him listed at 5’9″ and 185 lbs.


  16. moonsurfer June 29, 2013 10:53 am

    I was thinking , maybe coach Chow should start recuiting from the philippines . The Filipinos will pack Aloha stadium…jus’ sayin’


  17. BigWave96744 June 29, 2013 10:54 am

    Nice pics, ST… Were there rubbish cans on Ching Field during the Gassers?


  18. BigWave96744 June 29, 2013 10:56 am

    Nah no need recruit the P.I., just get Manny Pacquiao to sing the National Anthem.


  19. Hilo-Warrior June 29, 2013 11:25 am

    Taylor is in the Pistol formation. Hopefully we can see more passing out of it again.


  20. Capitolist/WassupDoc June 29, 2013 12:03 pm

    Depending upon what decisions are made by the Department of Land & Natural Resources/the Legislature/the Governor and the (federal) Department of Interior will determine if/when/and how financed a new stadium will be built as opposed to an upgraded facility. The City is also involved because of the transit system.

    If you have any interest in these issues, then take part in the community and stakeholder meet-ups.


  21. Warrior Dave June 29, 2013 12:25 pm

    Sorry to hear of the passing of Curveball. RIP Brother Tsaiko.

    Got to say I’m getting exciting about this upcoming season. Must be the infusion of new talent.


  22. Da Punchbowl Kid June 29, 2013 1:08 pm

    Warrirors looking good! Great pics Mr. Tsai!

    Welcome home, Willis!

    GO WARRIORS!!!


  23. Kekoa June 29, 2013 2:17 pm

    “Trouble with the curveball”

    Hard to accept the passing of our brother and fellow Tsaiko when there are vivid memories of hanging wit da curveball at the UH practice fields. After an early morning session of watching the Warriors bang heads, it was time for some breakfast. Once the restaurant was decided on, we would spend the rest of the morning drowning ourselves in coffee, and ordering the usual platters of local grinds. When a group of Tsaiko’s take over a restaurant, the noise level automatically triples with laughter.

    Game day meant Tailgate time and Curveball always brought the sweetest watermelons for all to share. He would proudly show off photos and stories of his grandsons. He loved to discuss whatever the Warrior football play of the day was, and then looked forward to beating the next opponent if they would just use his suggested list of plays.

    This season, if we should happen to score with an out-of-this-world like play, I’ll know it was prolly a collabrative effort straight from the Heavenly Tsaiko section!


  24. Benj A Lurker June 29, 2013 3:08 pm

    Jake Huen live now MMA in Kansas City MO

    http://firstrowus.eu/watch/193438/1/watch-mma:-the-british-invasion-.html

    record 2 – 2


  25. Benj A Lurker June 29, 2013 3:17 pm

    wow. Loss to Damon Lake; Jake had him with huge knees and strikes but got caught with a rear naked choke tap out late in the first round. His record is now 5 – 3 (corrected by announcer); Jake is well regarded.


  26. Da Punchbowl Kid June 29, 2013 3:20 pm

    An excellent remembrance of Brother Curveball, Kekoa! Mahalo for that post.


  27. 3-Prong June 29, 2013 4:33 pm

    Kicking back on the shores of Kahana Bay, pole in the water, sippin on some blue bottles, with the Love Of My Life.

    Life is Good.

    …………..oh, and Let’s Go Bows!


  28. Pomai June 29, 2013 4:55 pm

    I will miss my friend, we walked in the same pair of shoes……………………………….


  29. Kekoa June 29, 2013 5:03 pm

    3-prong sounds like he needs help monitoring those blue bottles. I may have to tell my wife that there’s a Tsaiko needing assistance, and I should rush to Kahana bay to lend a helping hand. Should I bring an emergency back-up supply of Green bottles to raise the awareness factor?


  30. Da Punchbowl Kid June 29, 2013 5:08 pm

    There is no bay like Kahana Bay… sands of my youth. Enjoy, 3-prong!


  31. green tea June 29, 2013 6:17 pm

    these guys looks bigger than last year’s team it seems


  32. FUHA June 29, 2013 7:19 pm

    #45. That’s correct… Chow has been going after bigger players his first 2 recruiting classes. It’s all part of the transition from a finess offense to a physical offense. Just look at the size of this years recruits… Much taller WRs and DBs coming in, and the linemen all have very large frames and not too many soft bodies. Like most prep linemen, they will need to redshirt to bulk up to get to their optimum playing wight, but the large frame guys can add weight without sacrificing too much quickness.

    UH will take a step in the right direction this year, but Chow is still probably one more year away from getting UH back to a bowl game. You can’t address all the holes UH had in its roster talent in two recruiting classes. At least not with UH’s budget and stature.

    O-line and D-line depth is still an issue. UH has a very tough first 5 games, and its possible to be 0-5. I think UH goes 1-4 to start. More important than wins is surviving without too many key line injuries. The 2nd half of the schedule is pretty soft an UH should finish strong, but that only happens if they still have healthy guys in the trenches after game 5.


  33. FUHA June 29, 2013 7:28 pm

    Expectations are low this year and the first 5 games are brutal. Fans need to be patient ad stay resilient as it likely will be rough until the UNLV game. Then UH has a good chance to reel off some wins.

    Everything is lining up for UH to return to contender status in 2014…. BUT UH gets 3 Pac-12 teams on its non-conference schedule in 2014. UW and Oregon St come to Aloha Stadium. UH does get Colorado (who stinks), but in Boulder. Northern Iowa is the 4th non-conference foe.


  34. 3-Prong June 29, 2013 7:33 pm

    Kekoa, DPK: Never had the pleasure of meeting curveball, but he gave me a gift today. His passing made me live for the moment, and take time to appreciate the beauty of Hawaii and to cherish time spent with loved ones. Mahalo cutveball……..


  35. Dino June 29, 2013 7:50 pm

    i wonder how good @ Nevada and San Jose St will be this year with new coaching staffs. i wonder what Hawaii’s chances will be be in those games. winning these kinda games will help us turn the corner.


  36. gmahoney June 29, 2013 8:28 pm

    We better beat SJSU, I have a bet on the game. I do NOT want to walk around town with a SJSU tshirt.


  37. Warrior Dave June 29, 2013 8:36 pm

    FUHA,

    I enjoyed reading your analysis. I agree that conditioning is the key. Our O-Line and some in the D-Line just wore down.

    Looks it was a great hire to bring in the new strength and conditioning Coach so far. We’ll find out against USC.


  38. tommui June 29, 2013 9:04 pm

    I wonder if Ben Jay is going to consider 2 for 1 games – like bring in the Washington football team AND the Hskies Women’s volleyball team or some combination thereof.


  39. Warrior Dave June 29, 2013 9:09 pm

    Tom Mui,

    Think that’s a great idea. Was this a topic that came up the other night with the BJ meet and greet?


  40. Kekoa June 29, 2013 9:52 pm

    3-prong ~

    DPK and I were kidding of course, but If Curveball read your post, he would have joined you. He enjoyed being on or near the ocean and he would’ve been there for the same reasons you expressed.


  41. tommui June 29, 2013 11:25 pm

    I wonder if Ben Jay is going to consider 2 for 1 games – like bring in the Washington football team AND the Huskies Women’s volleyball team or some combination thereof.


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