Rekindling interest in Warriors for NFL draft

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

They came to him, not so much seeking paternal advice, but his blessing.

Clockwise from top are: Vince Manuwai, offensive lineman; Wayne Hunter, offensive lineman; and Pisa Tinoisamoa, linebacker. All three UH players are expected to be chosen within the first three rounds of the NFL draft. Advertiser library photos

To each of the underclassmen — to wide receiver Ashley Lelie last year, to linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa and offensive tackle Wayne Hunter this year — University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones had the same answer, that it would be the right decision to relinquish their senior year and apply for the National Football League draft.

Lelie was the first Warrior ever selected in the first round, when he was picked by the Denver Broncos last year. Tinoisamoa and Hunter are expected to join right guard Vince Manuwai as draft picks in the first three rounds Saturday.

"I would love for Pisa to come back, and I would have loved it if Ashley stayed for his senior year," Jones said. "They would make us a better team. But I could never live with myself if I talked them into coming back and they got hurt and they lost that kind of money. They have to do what's best for them. If they want to go, that's their decision, and I'll do what I can to help them."

It has been that way since Jones was hired as UH's head coach in January 1999. Before his taking over, UH went five years without a player being drafted. Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich and tackles Adrian Klemm and Kaulana Noa were selected in the 2000 draft, offensive lineman Kynan Forney in 2001, and Lelie last year. If punter Mat McBriar and center Lui Fuata are picked this year, as Jones expects, it would set a school record with five draft selections.

"A player has to show some things on film, like speed and quickness," Jones said. "Then you have a shot to get into a camp, either as a draft pick or free agent. The NFL isn't going to sign a kid if he doesn't have the physical tools to do it. To get drafted, a kid better be able to run fast, or rush the passer, or get off the ball quickly. He'd better have some characteristic that makes him better than other prospects."

But Jones, who was a head coach of two NFL teams, also has assisted in helping his players become draft-ready.

At the end of spring practice, UH players are tested in the skills used at NFL combines, such as 40-yard and 10-yard sprints, 225-pound bench presses and zig-zag runs that measure lateral quickness. "We do it only once a year," Jones said of the 13 disciplines, "and only because the NFL likes to see that."

By staging the tests in the spring, it gives scouts advance information for the coming season, as well as enough recovery time for a player who does poorly or is injured.

During the season, if the Warriors were to wear plain uniforms, an observer would not be able to distinguish their practices from an NFL team's workouts. UH's practices are geared toward repetition and emphasizing technique.

"In the pros, you have to be very conscious of injuries," Jones said. "We don't need to find out every practice how physically tough a player is. We know that already. We want him to work on improving his technique."

Jones believes his team's workout formats keep his players fresh during the season, as well as help them easily adapt when they compete in a pro combine or training camp.

Each year, UH's video coordinator produces a highlight film of each of the Warriors' draft prospects. In the case of, say, 5-foot-7 wideout Justin Colbert, the cut-ups will feature Colbert's sound techniques — he catches passes with his hands instead of relying on his chest — and "separation speed," the ability to distance himself from tailing defensive backs.

"I personally send tapes to the teams I know who have had success with guys like Justin," said Jones, who envisions Colbert as a third-down receiver. "I tell them everything I know about him, and hopefully he can get into a camp and make the team."

During road trips, Jones sets aside time for scouts to interview UH prospects.

Last year, Jones arranged for safety Nate Jackson to earn a tryout with the Tennessee Titans.

"I tell (scouts) exactly how I see it," Jones said. "Most of the time, they look at the film and they have the same way of evaluating players as everybody else. What they're looking more into is what kind of a person a player is, how smart he is, those type of things."

Jones said his staff's philosophy is this: "We want our kids to learn and have fun in college. But if they have talent to play at the next level, we want to give them every opportunity to go there. We owe them that."