HONOLULU — While Oregon (and former Saint Louis School) quarterback Marcus Mariota is preparing his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech and other local products at “Big Five” conference schools are practicing for upcoming bowl games, the University of Hawaii football coaching
HONOLULU — While Oregon (and former Saint Louis School) quarterback Marcus Mariota is preparing his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech and other local products at “Big Five” conference schools are practicing for upcoming bowl games, the University of Hawaii football coaching staff is busy trying to make up ground on the recruiting trail.
The needs are clear: the Rainbow Warriors will lose defensive linemen Beau Yap, Moses Samia, Marcus Malepeai, Calen Friel, Niko Uti and Nick Childs; offensive linemen Kody Afusia, Sean Shigematsu, Frank Lloyd, Jr., and David Lefotu; defensive backs Taz Stevenson, Dee Maggitt and Michael Martin; running back Joey Iosefa; linebackers TJ Taimatuia and Tevita Lataimua; receivers Scott Harding and Donnie King, Jr.; tight end Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson; punters Harding and Ruben Guzman; quarterbacks Taylor Graham and Jeremy Higgins; punt returner Harding and placekicker Tyler Hadden.
Collectively, the biggest gap to fill is on the defensive line, where Yap and Samia anchored a deep and solid unit. Individually, Iosefa and Harding will be the toughest to replace due to their unique talents.
At most positions, there are enough promising returnees — including those who redshirted this past season — to ensure the cupboard will not be completely bare. Punter and placekicker may be the only positions where the 2015 starter will be without any significant Division I-A experience.
But with so many openings at so many areas, the promise to incoming recruits is the opportunity to compete for playing time and contribute right away. That is something maybe an Oregon or Washington or UCLA may not be able to offer, at least not realistically.
A tougher — but honest and noble — sell is the opportunity to join a building project, one that appears to have a foundation in place and is ready to take the next step toward a winning season. There already was a three-game improvement from last year to this season, and a similar jump next year would take UH to its first bowl appearance in five years. How satisfying would it feel to be a part of that?
Of course, the easy thing for 17- and 18-year-olds is to see what is front of them right now, as opposed to what might develop in a year or two. And when they look at a 4-9 Hawaii team that will be at home for the Holidays vs. an Oregon that has a national semifinal date in the Rose Bowl, or a Washington or UCLA that each will be playing in bowl games the day after … UH may not be as appealing.
But by the same token, it may get some local kids’ attention to see Kennedy Tulimasealii (from Wai‘anae) in the Rainbow Warriors’ starting lineup as a true sophomore, or Keelan Ewaliko (Baldwin) returning kickoffs and scoring touchdowns on reverses as a redshirt freshman. True freshman receiver Devan Stubblefield (Saint Louis) was projected to either start or at least be in the rotation at wide receiver before he tore an anterior cruciate ligament in fall camp.
Two redshirt freshmen — right guard Dejon Allen and left guard Elijah Tupai — started in the season finale at Fresno State, as did true freshman cornerback Nick Nelson and sophomore safety Trayvon Henderson. Starting quarterback Ikaika Woolsey is a redshirt sophomore.
Speaking of Woolsey, despite starting 12 of the 13 games, he is expected to be challenged hard to keep that role over redshirts Beau Reilly and Max Wittek.
Same with starting receivers Marcus Kemp, Quinton Pedroza and Ammon Barker, each of whom will be challenged by Stubblefield and Vasquez Haynes, who also sat out this season due to injury.
In other words, many positions will be up for grabs in the spring and fall, including those currently held by returning starters. And several incoming recruits could be competing for spots in the rotation, like Nelson did this past season and Tulimasealii did last year. Or even a starting role, like Stevenson.
That kind of opportunity may not be so available at an Oregon, Washington or UCLA.
Much of the recent talk surrounding UH recruiting has centered around finances, and facilities and other offerings related to money. It is true that the Rainbow Warriors are at a disadvantage against big-money programs that have more material things to offer.
But there also are things that money cannot buy, and Hawaii has a lot those things. The experience of being a UH athlete and becoming part of the state’s larger community usually lasts a lifetime, and cannot always be measured in dollars and cents, or even championship rings or bowl game memorabilia.
There is a bond that forms between alumni and coaches and fans, and an appreciation of and for representing this unique state. People here will never forget Beau Yap, regardless of how many games Hawaii won in his time at UH. They will always welcome back Joey Iosefa, regardless of whether he moves to the Mainland or returns to American Samoa. And years from now, whenever Scott Harding is spotted at Ala Moana or Kahala Mall, fans will still thank him for his amazing feats.
And the feeling is mutual. Former UH athletes usually become Rainbow Warrior fans for life, no matter where they are from or end up, and no matter if they played on winning teams or not, regardless of whether they were starters or second or third string. There’s something to be said for that, and that is something of value to offer potential recruits.
Hawaii head coach Norm Chow already has 18 prospects who have verbally committed to play for UH next year, and is actively pursuing at least seven more.
The job he and his staff are tasked with for the next two months is to keep convincing all of them that Hawaii is indeed the right school, not necessarily because of winning and bowl games and improved facilities and national TV … but because the prospect can immediately help the Rainbow Warriors achieve those goals.
