VIDEO: New UH punter Dunnachie adjusting to new position and sport

Eighteen months after signing a letter of intent with Hawai'i, Earvin Sione is now on the Warriors' active roster as a defensive end.

The wait "was hard for me, but it taught me a lot," Sione said. "It taught me to buckle down and put school work first."

Sione, who was named after Los Angeles Laker great Earvin "Magic" Johnson, was a quarterback, receiver and safety at McKinley High. At 6 feet 4 1/2, he also played basketball and volleyball.

He was supposed to join the Warriors in August 2008. But his grade point average and corresponding SAT score did not meet the minimum requirement on the NCAA's sliding scale. The problem was traced to when Sione replaced two classes with a lab and college-prep class. He dropped the two classes after the withdrawal deadline, thus earning Fs for both courses.

"I didn't even know," Sione said of the missed deadline.

The past academic year, Sione attended UH-West O'ahu, earning the 24 transferrable credits necessary to enroll at UH-Manoa this fall.

Sione, who weighed 190 last year, gained about 30 pounds through a high-protein diet.

Last week, he was told he would move to defensive end, a position he had never played.

"He's the type of prospect we're looking for," assistant coach Dave Aranda said. "He's got a great frame and long reach, and he's going to put on good weight. He's very smart, and he's physical, and he asks really good questions. We spend a lot of time talking after meetings and before practices."

Sione has drawn comparisons to Ikaika Alama-Francis, who was a UH basketball player before switching to football, and Melila Purcell III. Both are on NFL rosters.

Sione said he was timed running 40 yards in 4.5 seconds last month.

He can bench press 305 pounds. His vertical jump is 38 inches.

"(Sione) has the body of a defensive end," UH head coach Greg McMackin said. "He's got speed. He's got height. He's a natural athlete, and he's going to get better when he gains weight and gets stronger."

Sione said he enjoys being named after a sports celebrity.

"A lot of people don't know that," he said. "It's pretty cool. I guess I was born a Laker fan. I love the game, and I love the team."

HIS MISSION IN LIFE

To a man, the Warriors are on a mission to succeed.

Next year, freshman safety Aulola Tonga will be on a mission to help those in need.

Tonga, who is a member of the Mormon church, will play for the Warriors this season, then go on a two-year church mission. After that, he will resume his Warrior career.

"This is something I really want to do," Tonga said. "I want to live on my own, and I want to help other people. It's something I've looked forward to since I was 5 years old. I like helping people."

Tonga, a 2009 Kahuku High graduate, said being allowed to go on a mission was one of the attractions to committing to UH.

"I respect the religion," McMackin said. "If (a mission is) planned for a young guy's life, I have respect for that. The mission allows a guy to experience life, do their mission, and then be able to come and play for us. It's good for our program and it's good for the young man."

Running back Inoke Funaki, defensive tackle Tuika Tufaga and defensive end Waylon Lolotai served on missions before joining the Warriors.

Tonga said he is saving money earned from construction work to help pay for his mission.

Tonga is used to hard work. In March, he became an Eagle Scout. His project was to build a sandbox for a preschool.

"It was fun to help," Tonga said.

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