honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, November 11, 2005

Redshirt Warriors a talented bunch

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

UTAH STATE AT HAWAI'I

Who: Utah State (2-6, 1-4 Western Athletic Conference) at Hawai'i (3-6, 3-4)

When: 6:05 p.m. tomorrow

Where: Aloha Stadium Stadium

Gates: Parking lot gates open at 2:30 p.m.; stadium gates open at 3 p.m. Parking is $5.

Radio: KKEA (1420 AM)

TV: Pay-per-view channel 255; replay at 10 a.m. Sunday on KFVE (channel 5).

spacer spacer

The thing about the University of Hawai'i football team's youth movement — 22 freshmen and first-year Warriors were on last week's travel roster — is that another wave is right behind.

"I'm excited about the guys who are waiting for their chance," UH coach June Jones said.

Indeed, the coaches are in charge of two UH teams — the one that hosts Utah State tomorrow at Aloha Stadium and the one of the future.

"No question, we're solid with the guys we have in the program," Jones said. "And we'll get some more good players."

Ron Lee, who coaches the receivers, said: "June is right. If we don't bring in anybody else, we're going to be fine. We've got a lot of good players who are redshirting."

Keep an eye on:

  • Defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea, a 2005 'Aiea High graduate.

    Despite a late start — his NCAA eligibility was not approved until the second week of the fall semester — Savaiigaea has transformed into an effective interior lineman. "He's been working so hard in the weight room his whole body has changed," Jones said. "He's quicker and stronger."

    Defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville said of 6-foot-3 Savaiigaea: "When we got him, he was a 320-pound, slow-footed guy. Now he looks like a 300-pound man with quick feet and good workout habits. He has changed as much as any kid we haven't played."

    Savaiigaea is projected to play nose tackle in UH's base 3-4 defense and defensive tackle in the 4-0 scheme involving at least five defensive backs.

  • Slotback Adam Linwood, a 5-foot-8, 182-pound freshman from North Garland High in Texas.

    Linwood's quickness and sure-handed catches give fits to the Warriors' first-team defense in practices. "He's probably quicker than Davone (Bess, the starting left slotback)," Lee said.

    Unfortunately as a scout player, Linwood is more accustomed to an opponent's offense than the Warriors' four-wide schemes. He'll receive extensive training in UH's offense during spring practice. "He has to learn the plays and learn what we do," Jones said. "But physically he can do everything we want him to do."

  • Slotback Marquez Jackson, a 5-foot-7 freshman from Snellville, Ga.

    Jackson entered UH weighing 144 pounds. His goal is to weigh 160 pounds by the end of this season. As the former point guard of Snellville's nationally ranked basketball team, Jackson's quiet leadership has impressed coaches. He is the favorite to return punts in spring practice.

  • Offensive lineman Raphael Ieru, a 6-foot-1 freshman from McKinley High.

    Ieru was a 362-pound defensive lineman when he reported to training camp in August. Out of condition, at the end of the first practice, he completed only one of the required 10 sprints of 220 yards. He moved to the offensive line, where he suffered an injury.

    Since then, "he really worked hard," said Wes Suan, who coaches the offensive line. "He's dropped about 30, 40 pounds already. He's doing good in his classes. He's working hard in the weight room."

    While the other offensive linemen of the 2005 recruiting class — Daniel Johnson, John Estes, Aaron Kia and Laupepa Letuli — have been impressive in practices, Ieru has drawn the most praise.

    "I think Raphel Ieru might be as good as we've had," Jones said. "He's got size and quickness and he's very smart."

  • Wideout Antwan Mahaley, a freshman from Carson (Calif.) High.

    At Carson, Mahaley was a tight end — a position that does not exist in the Warriors' four-wide offense. "We're going to find a spot for Antwan," Jones said.

    The likely choice is wideout, where Mahaley's size (6 feet 4, 210 pounds) and speed (4.5 seconds over 40 yards) will create mismatches against smaller defensive backs.

    "He needs to be a wideout," Lee said. "He has decent hands and he can run."

  • Inside linebacker Brashton Satele, a freshman from Word of Life Academy, and outside linebacker Blake Robinson, a junior from Santa Rosa Junior College.

    Satele, who is 6 feet 1 and 261 pounds, is projected to be a physical run-stopper. "When we get up against those teams that are trying to mug our little guys, there are places you need a 260-pound linebacker," Glanville said. "In some games, he'll be better than our little fast guys."

    Robinson, who is 6 feet 2, has dropped 16 pounds and now weighs 229. He also has moved from the inside, where he played at Santa Rosa, to outside linebacker. "He's going to be a good player," Jones said.

  • Wideout Rick Taylor, a 2005 graduate of Nease High in Florida.

    Taylor actually won't enroll at UH until January. He has split the fall semester taking some classes, assisting his high school team and training in Arizona. Taylor, who is 5 feet 10 and 180 pounds, is participating in the same program used by NFL prospects. He has reduced his time in the 40-yard dash to 4.3 seconds.

    Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.