honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Warriors' scrimmage sure to be a big hit

Video: Football players turn draft experts
Video: Warriors D reflects on OT game

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

TOP FIVE PROSPECTS:

1. Tua Mahaley

Position: Defensive right end

Height: 6-5

Weight: 220

Upside: He's fast (4.7 seconds over 40 yards), strong and, with his long reach, is an imposing obstacle on throws to the flats.

Plays like ... Ikaika Alama-Francis, last year's right end who was the Detroit Lions' second-round choice in April.

2. Tuika Tufaga

Position: Defensive tackle

Height: 6-2

Weight: 280

Upside: Despite his jovial nature — he often entertains teammates by twirling sticks in fire-knife motions — Tufaga plays with a fiery attitude. Because he can get low, he's difficult to block.

Plays like ... Lui Fuga, a former All-WAC lineman who now is a Marine.

3. Camron Carmona

Position: Running back

Height: 5-8

Weight: 172

Upside: Carmona had a delayed start after waiting for UH to approve his Fullerton College transcripts, but in recent weeks he has impressed defenses with his quickness (4.4 seconds over 40 yards) and cut-back skills. He also is a sure-handed receiver.

Plays like ... Kealoha Pilares, whose pirouettes make him a graceful spin doctor.

4. Jake Santos

Position: Quarterback

Height: 5-11

Weight: 202

Upside: After two seasons at a junior college and another at a Division I-AA school, Santos is battle-tested.

Plays like ... former UH quarterback Jason Whieldon, who was gifted throwing out of the pocket or on the move.

5. Mana Lolotai

Position: Linebacker

Height: 6-0

Weight: 218

Upside: While earning credits at another school last year, Lolotai created his own intensive training program. He capped it by attending a special program in Arizona during the summer.

Plays like ... hard-hitting linebacker Blaze Soares. 'Nuff said.

spacer spacer

Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan has faced some tough choices, but none like the one he faces today.

"Well, let's see ..." Brennan stumbled.

In preparation for tomorrow's Scout Bowl — a 40- to 50-play, full-contact football scrimmage involving redshirts and developing players — a draft is scheduled for this afternoon.

Seniors on offense and defense will choose up sides, as well as serve as coaches.

After some thought, Brennan said he would skip on a quarterback and, if given the choice, take running back Camron Carmona with the first pick.

"He's an offensive weapon," Brennan said. "He's quick, fast. This will be a great chance to showcase what he's all about."

Full disclosure: Brennan and Carmona were teammates at Mater Dei High in California.

"No Mater Dei bias," Brennan said. "That's who I'm going with. That's my first pick."

Yesterday, "coaches" began to create their draft boards. They had to scratch third-string quarterback Inoke Funaki, who was ruled ineligible for the game.

"Anybody I don't want in the game won't be in the game, like the guys who are going to be playing on Saturday nights," commissioner June Jones ruled.

"I'm going to appeal," Funaki said. "The past two years I got to play. I was looking forward to it."

Defensive end Antwan "Tua" Mahaley, defensive tackle Tuika Tufaga, linebacker Mana Lolotai, and quarterbacks Jake Santos and Shane Austin were mentioned the most.

Offensive guard Hercules Satele: "I'm willing to trade picks."

Linebacker Timo Paepule: "How about your third for our sixth?"

Satele: "Nice try."

Paepule said the defensive seniors are split between taking Mahaley and Tufaga with their No. 1 pick.

"I'm flattered," Tufaga said. "I have no words. It's an honor to be drafted by the great Timo Paepule."

Paepule said: "We didn't pick you yet. We're having a Pro Day. I know you're an up-and-coming rising star, but we want to make sure."

Mahaley is an intriguing prospect. He moved to defensive end after playing wideout his first two seasons at UH. He is African American, but accepted the name "Tua" from a chief because of his close ties to the Samoan community.

"Tua is a sleeper," Satele said. "He works hard."

Mahaley said he has learned valuable tips from starting defensive left end Amani Purcell. "Now I feel comfortable being at defensive end," said Mahaley, who prefers to align on the right side because it allows him to use his right hand for the club move.

Best of all, Mahaley will not be a holdout.

"I don't care who picks me up," Mahaley said.

Paepule said: "I'll talk to his agent."

According to scouting services, Santos, who has played two seasons at a junior college and one at a Division I-AA school, is expected to be drafted ahead of freshman Shane Austin.

"I want to play for the offense because Colt and Davone (Bess) will be calling the plays," Santos said. "It should be fun. We're looking for some quarterback draws."

The thing is, the first-team defense faces the scout offense in practice. That is why the defense knows more about Santos and Austin.

"I can't make the quarterback prediction," Brennan said.

It might not matter. Michael Lafaele, the defensive team captain, said he does not plan to employ a passing offense.

"The offense will be smash-mouth, downhill," Lafaele said. "We'll run the I-formation, pound it on Hercules' team. Maybe we'll draft (running back Alonzo) Chopp. Then we can call ourselves the Choppers. That's a good name."

LB SOARES BACK ALREADY

  • Although the coaches said linebacker Blaze Soares, who suffered a stinger in last Friday's game, would rest for a few days, he was practicing yesterday.

    "I'm right here, unless I'm a ghost," Soares said. "Last time I checked, I'm living proof. Coach Jones thought it was more than it was. It's fine. It's minor."

  • Freshman safety Le'Marcus Gibson yesterday attended practice on crutches after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn meniscus in his left knee. He said he hopes to be ready for spring practice in April.

  • Brennan has agreed to write a blog about the UH receivers for the New York Times. As a communications major, Brennan is bracing for some envious scorn from classmates.

    "A lot of journalism majors are upset with me because I've had such an easy road entering this field," Brennan said, smiling.

    Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.