UH football: Auditions

try2There were 31 participants for today’s walk-on tryouts at Ching field.

The minimum qualifications:

1. Full-time UH-Manoa student.

2. GPA of 2.5 or better.

3. Good health.

4. Good football skills.

5. Survive strength/conditioning coordinator Gary Beemer’s fitness quiz.

One participant met requirements 1, 2 and 4 before suffering an injury to his quadriceps. He was eliminated.

Here were some of the hopefuls:

* * * * *

try1

Kenneth McCoy told several UH players he wanted to audition. When asked at which position, McCoy listed quarterback, running back, slotback, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback, safety, kicker, punter, punt returner, kickoff returner, wildcat …

Wildcat?

And that became his nickname.

“Wildcat,” who is from North Carolina, ran the 40 in 4.5 seconds. He is 6 feet and 178 pounds.

* * * * *

try4


Trey Love is an accomplished rapper and aspiring actor who was featured on the cover of this week’s Ka Leo O Hawaii, UH’s student newspaper.

But like many rappers/actors, Love’s love is sports. And true to his multiple talents and interests, he tried out as a quarterback and receiver.

* * * * *

try5

Yes, linebacker Russell Satele played for that Mililani football team.

Yes, Satele is related to that family.

* * * * *

try6
As a senior at First Coast High (Jacksonville, Fla.), Malik Lockett was invited by Florida State receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey to join the Seminoles as a walk-on in 2013.

But the arrangement could not be finalized, and Lockett moved with his family to Hawaii. Lockett enrolled at UH in the fall.

Despite some hamstring issues, Lockett ran the 40 in 4.5 seconds.

Here are his highlight videos: Malik Lockett

* * * * *

try3He might not be the fastest (although he was pretty darn fast in gassers today) or the strongest, but quarterback Hunter Hughes surely was the most popular.

He received rousing cheers from more than 30 UH football players after each of the drills.


Hughes earned a spot on last year’s spring roster after a similar tryout. He was cut after spring training, but he never went away. He continued to train and support the Warriors. Footballs were not used during today’s tryout, but several UH players insist Hughes’ arm strength has improved after witnessing his unsupervised workouts the past month.

The Warriors only have three QBs on the spring roster — Ikaika Woolsey, Beau Reilly and Max Wittek. Aaron Zwahlen, who completes a church mission in May, joins in June.

COMMENTS

  1. st. anthony trojan March 4, 2015 12:26 pm

    Good luck all the ones walking on…for auditions


  2. Former UH Athlete March 4, 2015 12:43 pm

    RE: 2015 non-conference schedule:

    Is UH receiving any compensation for the Ohio St and Wisconsin road games?

    For purely financial reasons, I always wanted UH to take some of these types of games, even if it means getting smoked. Several non-Power 5 conference teams do this because the paydays are the key to balancing their budgets.


  3. SteveM March 4, 2015 12:57 pm

    Good noonish everyone!

    The walk-ons look good. Thank you to all for wanting to be a Warrior!


  4. letsgowarriors March 4, 2015 1:01 pm

    didnt lockett go to campbell?


  5. hitman March 4, 2015 1:02 pm

    aloha everyone !! best of luck walk-ons
    only one guy walking-on for qb ?


  6. gigi-hawaii March 4, 2015 1:10 pm

    ST, the ones you photographed look good.
    Best wishes, everyone!


  7. hatakeman March 4, 2015 1:23 pm

    Good luck to all walk-ons. Kenneth McCoy looks like a lock. Malik Lockett also looks like he might stick, but ditch the “Noles” t-shirt.


  8. Shoko March 4, 2015 1:34 pm

    Would be great if Hughes makes it and serves an inspirational role on the team. Seems like a hard-working, high-character young man. If he manages to make the roster, I think his nickname should be Carrot Top. Wish him the best!


  9. islandman March 4, 2015 1:45 pm

    2. FUHA; — someone on this blog said yesterday that UH will receive $1.2 and $1 million for the road games.


  10. Ipu Man March 4, 2015 1:53 pm

    Wildcat could be a wildcard handy to have up your sleeve
    after injuries take their toll…


  11. Shoko March 4, 2015 1:58 pm

    Appear the Niners is taking a chance on a former rugby player, Jarryd Haynes, from Australia to play kick returner.

    Not comparing this guy to Harding but it could be a good sign for Scott that there are a few teams interested in taking a chance on former rugby guys.

    http://deadspin.com/rugby-league-superstar-jarryd-hayne-signs-futures-contr-1689071368


  12. jojo March 4, 2015 2:13 pm

    Awesome! Good luck to everyone!

    I was asked to audition for a musical, but I strictly dance for my own enjoyment. haha ok back to my corner I go


  13. bowwar March 4, 2015 2:41 pm

    I was a bit surprised with the 49ers signing Haynes…Unless the guy runs a 40 faster than 4.5, I think Harding is a better choice since he has American football experience.


  14. bowwar March 4, 2015 2:43 pm

    Anybody who can run a 4.5 40 and has decent size is an automatic addition to the team…Hopefully, some of them make it into Spring practice.


  15. jimmy the lock March 4, 2015 3:06 pm

    Happy Hump Day Auditioners.

    No big space eaters auditioning?

    Oi SteveM, looked at your website. How about opening a new tab when clicking a link?

    Anyone know the pay scale for a Digital Media Specialist? Guess all you need to know is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and all the other social media apps.


  16. letsgowarriors March 4, 2015 3:09 pm

    LOL are you guys serious? Hayne is a 6’2 220lb freak. Harding is a 5’11 200lb WR who has good hands but is really slow.

    Hayne also dominated in his rugby leagues. Harding was nothing more than a regular player.


  17. letsgowarriors March 4, 2015 3:18 pm

    dont get blinded by Harding’s ability to punt for us, which is illegal in the NFL. if he only played WR, he’s nothing more than an average college player who is 10 years older than some of the guys he is playing against.

    great player for Hawaii but nowhere near an NFL prospect.


  18. 808WarriorFan March 4, 2015 3:18 pm

    Need to take a closer look at those 2 guys who can run 4.5’s. Also what position is Russ Satele trying out fo. Guys like Hunter Hughes need to be on the team. He might not get practice reps or game time but he’s a guy who has shown his love and passion fort he sport and won’t go away…SUIT ‘EM UP…and another thing with a schedule like we have this year injuries will be the #1 factor as to our success. I say this is a year to give a guy like that a chance.


  19. jimmy the lock March 4, 2015 3:30 pm

    Get big difference between 4.50 and 4.59. Maybe not a big difference but doesn’t help when the opponent runs 4.45. 😆


  20. Former UH Athlete March 4, 2015 3:32 pm

    #11. Thanks for the update,

    Well, maybe Ben Jay can be credited for something (or maybe Jim Donovan depending on the timing of when these deals were made as non-conference games can be scheduled several years in advance).

    IF the dollar amounts are correct, then at least UH didn’t get short changed (for once).


  21. nutmegger March 4, 2015 3:37 pm

    #8 Shoko – Hunter Hughes nickname should be Ginger Snap.


  22. tom March 4, 2015 4:07 pm

    Had a nice meeting with Coach Laura Beeman yesterday. Really a charming person. She was Jim Donovan’s choice for head coach. Guess none of those so-called experts bothered with his choice for a woman’s sport. They certainly veto’d Jim’s other choices.


  23. Stephen Tsai March 4, 2015 6:12 pm

    They picked up Gaetano DeMattei and Terrence Sayles from last year’s tryouts.
    Pereese Joas was from the 2013 tryouts.


  24. Inyoface March 4, 2015 6:41 pm

    I think Harding wouldve been a better kick off returner than a punt returner.


  25. Kaimiloa March 4, 2015 6:58 pm

    Harding played Australian Rules Football, not Rugby. Haynes was MVP this year in Rugby League.


  26. hitman March 4, 2015 7:58 pm

    49-39 at the half UH DOWN !! lets see if coach makes some changes !! come bow let do this !!


  27. PONO March 4, 2015 8:15 pm

    Beeman is an engaging individual and is a good listener. Might be the qualities that allows her to get the most out of her athletes.


  28. bouncingball March 4, 2015 8:31 pm

    Two greatest walkons for UH – Chad Owens and Rich Miano? I would argue with the statement “….UH has 3 QB….”. Based on past performance, we have one possibly, none proven.


  29. 3-Prong March 4, 2015 9:12 pm

    Didn’t Colt come in as a walkon too bouncingball?


  30. 3-Prong March 4, 2015 9:15 pm

    Oh well, too bad Fleming reinjured. At least everyone else looks fairly healthy.


  31. 3-Prong March 4, 2015 9:16 pm

    Mahalo To Nevels and Jawato on Sr Night.


  32. hatakeman March 4, 2015 9:22 pm

    Well, the UH basketball home season is over. Hawaii loses but the fans were there. I would like to see Benjy Taylor back next year as the head coach.


  33. hitman March 4, 2015 9:28 pm

    aloha to nevels and jawato !! thanks 4 been a bow !!


  34. obachan March 4, 2015 10:44 pm

    Sports anchor Rob DeMello recorded a statement made by coach Taylor after the game I think it was – seeming to indicate that coach won’t be back next season. Hope that’s not the case.


  35. JustAsking March 4, 2015 11:06 pm

    Belated thank you to Tom for facilitating the huge donation last week!!!


  36. SteveM March 4, 2015 11:25 pm

    OK–after 9:00 pm, so

    jimmy the lock March 4, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    Oi SteveM, looked at your website. How about opening a new tab when clicking a link?
    ….

    jimmy the lock — in my ancient deprecated HTML website, I used navigational links and pecker tracks.
    Hmmm, I’ll leave Al and his subliminals to ponder that. 🙂

    BUT, in those old days, I did code in one link that opens up a new window (or tab if your browser is set that way). I think you will be amused if you found it.

    …and don’t be offended if you find it, since it does not apply to the “jimmy the lock” I’ve seen here for years. 🙂


  37. cappie the dog March 4, 2015 11:41 pm

    If Hawaii was a possibility for a NIT bid, I would better understand Coach Taylor playing Issac Fleming.

    I wonder if everybody understands that the NCAA runs the NIT now, and that the RPI is the main criteria for one of the 32 bids. Currently, American and Lehigh are ahead of us.

    Hawaii fares better in ESPN’s BPI. The Warriors are about 40 spots higher.

    Tonight’s game was absolutely meaningless. As well as Saturday’s road tilt against Cal State-Fullerton. I hope Coach Taylor keeps Fleming on the bench.

    On defense, Hawaii played like a team who was demoralized by some poorly-timed words from our chancellor. Bobby Curren, usually a staid person, went absolutely ballistic on the “Sports Animals”.

    I liked Rodrick Bobbitt’s reaction during the senior ceremony. He had a look that said, “No way am I allowing anybody to put a ring of flowers on my head.” Maybe he’ll feel more sentimental when it’s his turn. If he stays.

    Am I crazy or does Jankovic look like a future lottery pick? There is a degree of difficulty to some of his shots, and they’re ALL NET.


  38. cappie the dog March 5, 2015 12:02 am

    22.

    Does Laura Beeman like it here?

    Hawaii is so fortunate to have her services.

    Mary Wooley looks equally capable.

    I have so much faith in this coaching staff.

    I want to see what Hawaii will look like after another recruiting class.


  39. Tempmanoa March 5, 2015 12:14 am

    I think I saw here on somewhere else in the Star Advertiser that Benji has been invited to apply for the Head Coach position and that applications are coming in.


  40. hitman March 5, 2015 1:12 am

    seem like after the game that coach was just like saying his good byes !! ch2 news reported that !! coach really wanted to win his team 20 in hawaii and on seniors night !!


  41. oneseason March 5, 2015 6:30 am

    According to Dave Reardon, the Chancellor wouldn’t say if he had read Arnold’s contract before the decision to Terminate without Cause. But he felt it was the right decision. Even though they are now litigating and UH is on the hook for an additional $1.4M in penalty. I hope Coach Taylor stays. With the Chancellor’s Ben Jay-like pronouncement, whether UH would participate in the tournament seemed up in the air at game time.


  42. A-house March 5, 2015 7:18 am

    as I see articles about the “acting” chancellor, it appears that the BOR has removed the word “acting’ – is this correct?

    academically, he may be very intelligent, but when dealing with people his skills are terrible and I question his leadership abilities – please, someone, enlighten me on how a professor can be trained to be a leader – many early years are spent lecturing students – does becoming a “department head” including learning leadership skills?

    that’s one of the best things about the military, IMHO, that they teach you leadership skills during “basic training” and it is a continuing process as one gains rank; never stops!


  43. NorthShoreFan March 5, 2015 7:52 am

    Guud Morning Tsaikos…bootiful day.


  44. bouncingball March 5, 2015 7:57 am

    #42, don’t think using military as an example is appropriate given the mess their top heavy command is mired in (Petraias, anyone?), along with unending scandals at the academies, and the billions they waste on everything. Waste at UH is manini compared to that in the military. Wait, maybe the heads at UH have military backgrounds? That would explain some of their incompetence.


  45. bouncingball March 5, 2015 8:17 am

    #37, there is no way in hell Jankovic gets a look in NBA – too slow, can’t jump, not too bright. This season appears to be ending like all previous seasons under Gib, with a big thud. Taylor has proven to be an adequate coach, nothing more. Honestly, don’t no what people clamoring for him to be the head coach is basing that on. UH pays good in the conference (Gib was the highest paid) and will draw a LOT of applicants, including coaches of other in-conference schools, at least half of them better than Taylor. This year’s team has hussle and determination but lacks consistancy and a go-to-player. None of them can shoot decently on a regular basis and there’s no power inside. Thomas absolutely is terrible inside and don’t see why he plays so much – Javonovic should be seeing a lot more playing time than Thomas. Valdez basically shot his wad in the preseason and has been terrible down the stretch, The team stopped progressing from mid-season and has been outplayed and outcoached in the second half of conference play (nothing new here). The most promising returnee for next season is Fleming (most potential in spite of his immaturity). All other players basically will perform at levels we already seen, not much better. Taylor is not going to get much more out of them, not good enough to do so – UH needs another, better head coach.


  46. Stephen Tsai March 5, 2015 8:46 am

    New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=28648


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