Still in the running

Remember offensive dynamo John Ursua?

He signed with UH in February 2012 and, after his Cedar High (Utah) graduation, went on a church mission. After completing his church work, Ursua learned he still needed to fulfill further academic requirements to join the Warriors. He was not included in the Warriors’ initial 2015 plans.

But Ursua has continued to work on meeting those requirements. While there still are obstacles, there is a marginal possibility Ursua will be able to join the Warriors this year. He has been upgraded from “no” chance to “some.”

Ursua spent his childhood in Laie before attending Kealakehe High as a freshman. He then moved to Utah. As a senior, he was rated Rivals.com’s No. 10 among Utah prospects. That year, he averaged 17.3 yards per completion (along with 10 TD throws) and produced rushing averages of 9.8 yards per carry and 128.3 yards per game. He added 16 rushing TDs.

If Ursua can work his way back, he would provide a quick and elusive threat at running back or receiver.

COMMENTS

  1. truegreen July 5, 2015 9:17 am

    first on world cup final morning. good luck to ursua. love his highlights and would love to see him on the field.


  2. Stephen Tsai July 5, 2015 9:35 am

    Meanwhile, in Canada … Chad Owens’ Argonauts play Saskatchewan today.


  3. Stephen Tsai July 5, 2015 9:36 am

    Last week, Owens had five punt returns for 60 yards and caught seven passes.


  4. clyde July 5, 2015 9:53 am

    Thanks for the update on Ursua, Stephen. I was impressed by his video highlights when he first committed in 2012. Think he has the potential to become another Miah, and play basketball, too. Hope he makes it.


  5. A-House July 5, 2015 10:05 am

    off topic and a topic I prefer to stay away from.

    yet, with all the news about same-sex marriage and religious freedom and the 1st amendment

    I whole heartedly support the right to free speech and religious freedom — yet, is the right to chose your own religious belief/woprship translate to the right to infringe upon the rights of others or deny them privileges granted by Congress and the Supreme Court?

    also, for Maunakea and its cultural significance to certain Hawaiian groups – is it right to build stone structures and damage the road to support their beliefs of a scared mountain not to be desecrated by “others”? yet, they built stone alters where none existed and place large boulders on the road to block the TMT project – is this right/correct? guess it depends on the individual.


  6. A-House July 5, 2015 10:09 am

    ST:

    can we look for additional late additions to football besides Ursua?

    how many scholarships are left?

    what about 2016 recruits?


  7. Warbow July 5, 2015 10:14 am

    Don’t hold our breath waiting on these late academic arrivals. Thru out the years, I haven’t seen one make it thru this late in the game.


  8. SteveM July 5, 2015 10:17 am

    Good morning everyone!

    Hopes and best wishes for John Ursua!


  9. Willie July 5, 2015 10:28 am

    Hope Ursua makes it, been excited for him coming from the day he chose the Warriors. He has that special Sydner, Ilaoa, Owens and Ornellas type quick and shifty elusiveness that has been missing for a long time.


  10. SteveM July 5, 2015 10:35 am

    RE: #4
    Since it’s a slow day, I’ll put in my 2ยข about Mauna Kea. I recall the Big Island paper report on the passing of BigHilofan2 and saw his video testimony on Mauna Kea. Bighilofan2 had a reputation of standing up for the “little guy”.

    My IMPRESSION was that he was not against science or the telescopes– he was against access to public lands being blocked off to the people because someone built an installation and restricted area access due to security. I do not personally consider the top of a barren mountain a great sub-zero picnic spot, but agree that it is public land. The telescope can coexist with people if they are not prohibited from being in the area. Just my impression here–there are more sides to this.


  11. Derek July 5, 2015 11:00 am

    Go, Johnny, go, go. Johnny be good!!!! Mr. Ursua, I’m pulling for you. When I think about John Ursua, I think about Johnny Rodgers. That quickness, that stop and go, that shifiness, that elusiveness. He would be a terrific point guard too, first off, take care of the academics. Good luck and I hope to see you in camp in early August.


  12. Stephen Tsai July 5, 2015 11:08 am

    Actually, there have been some surges. Kennedy Tulimasealii rallied in the second semester to qualify. Dejon Allen didn’t make it initially, but then qualified and now is probably a future pro prospect.


  13. nutmegger July 5, 2015 11:10 am

    #5 A-House
    I’m a haole boy who first came to HI in 1976, met a local girl, and moved here in 1978. That being said, I spent some time in the early 80’s working with Walter Ritte on his idea to classify Pelekunu Valley on Molokai as a new land use category, “Traditional Hawaiian Land Use”. We spent a few days in Pelekunu. I found Walter to be a well spoken advocate of Hawaiians and a very intelligent man. I respect him and his values. When I see him on TV, I try to listen to what is both said and not said.

    I think Maunakea/TMT has become a symbol for those that feel development of any kind has violated the land. For a people that lived in a sustainable, subsistence economy for hundreds of years before contact with European culture. A culture that viewed the land and ocean as the providers of sustenance, rather than a source of profit, will naturally find the land and ocean as sacred. To view the TMT opposition only as a clash between science and religion misses the point.

    The TMT stands for all that some see as the loss of control of their land and very means of survival. It is a rallying point, a unifying symbol of not only what they feel has desecrated a sacred place, but the loss of their traditional way of life. As a result there is no compromise that can be of any satisfaction to those in opposition. One can’t “negotiate” their life away.

    Constructing an altar, to me anyway, is a peaceful means of conveying a deeply held belief. Now I am a man of science and not religious, but I do respect others’ beliefs. I am conflicted by this TMT issue. I have tried to understand both sides. I think there are times a society must weigh the basic truths of what it means to be human. This is not to suggest a cost-benefit analysis be done, but rather to determine if we value the cultural essence of one peoples over another. Should we treat each culture equally? When we make assertions to respect the “host culture” what does that mean?


  14. Brad July 5, 2015 11:48 am

    Finally got out of my food coma. The smell of charcoal yesterday made me feel like tailgating already for UH football!


  15. kapakahi July 5, 2015 12:31 pm

    ST,

    Good to see that Ursua is still IN the running…….if not for this season……at least hopefully for next season.

    Are JC DL Fieeiki and Taylor both now completely OUT of the running?
    http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/warrior-beat/jc-d-lineman-commits-to-uh/
    http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/warrior-beat/warriors-land-nose-tackle/


  16. derek July 5, 2015 1:00 pm

    Cameron Hayes coming or not coming, or still waiting?


  17. kapakahi July 5, 2015 1:09 pm

    #16,

    Still supposed to be coming…….at the end of July……a week or so before the start of Fall Camp.


  18. 3-Prong July 5, 2015 1:55 pm

    you-es-ehh!!!

    Crusing in the Turtle Bay Lounge with Beeeeeg Screen an meeean AC! Da tourist looking at us like we cheering for Japan…..hehe
    Good ting I wearing my UH hat.


  19. 3-Prong July 5, 2015 1:58 pm

    …..and whats even better is we drinking from our cooler! Cheeeee!


  20. BigFan July 5, 2015 2:18 pm

    #13, Nutmegger, very well stated especially from a haole boy (this is the old definition and not the way some interpret it now. You are a kamaaina in heart anyway). When it comes to race or culture, it’s very hard to convey one’s feelings unless you can live it. That’s why we get in trouble when we speak without having experienced another person’s life. Sensitive area.


  21. BigFan July 5, 2015 2:19 pm

    I hope Ursua makes it. It might help ticket sales!!


  22. Ipu Man July 5, 2015 2:33 pm

    Someone sang this song
    “Walk a mile in my shoes”…
    Good for locals, the homeless, Jesus Christ
    and you and me.


  23. 3-Prong July 5, 2015 3:05 pm

    Almost a Side-Bolo for Hope Solo. hehe


  24. nutmegger July 5, 2015 3:47 pm

    #20 BigFan – Thanks.


  25. 808warriorfan July 5, 2015 6:18 pm

    Sounds like this guy is not a quitter…great quality to have


  26. 808warriorfan July 5, 2015 6:19 pm

    Sounds like this guy is not a quitter … great trait to have …


  27. kapakahi July 5, 2015 7:59 pm

    Would be an unexpected bonus for UH to add a playmaker in Ursua if he can somehow qualify for this coming season…..
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI8GN1VuNyQ
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7ZTa-wCooE


  28. clyde July 5, 2015 8:41 pm

    An unexpected bonus, indeed. He’s also a playmaker in basketball ….
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64XgI3gbFW4


  29. 3-Prong July 5, 2015 10:02 pm

    Wow Ursua has 4.5 speed and Chad Owens like anticipation. Good combination. Deceptive speed.


  30. st. anthony trojan July 5, 2015 10:11 pm

    Harris led the Argonauts on a last-minute touchdown drive, capped off with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Chad Owens, to send the game into overtime.

    Chad Owens, led all Toronto receivers with eight catches for 88 yards and one touchdown…still going strong up there in Canada…


  31. Maddog50 July 6, 2015 3:01 am

    Great angst over Agasiva Lavaka and others. Just want them in. This part of the year for the program for me is just nerve racking. Wish it was just a done deal. Go Warriors!!!


  32. letsgowarriors July 6, 2015 5:11 am

    Agasiva is not coming. going to Pima CC


  33. mctruck July 6, 2015 5:12 am

    He has the natural moves; what’s his size?


  34. boolakanaka July 6, 2015 5:59 am

    A couple of tidbits, John’s dad is one my oldest friends, from Halawa side. Walter for all his headlines as an activist, most folks do not realize, was famous way before his Native Hawaiian activism, as he was All-State in basketball at Kalaepohaku, and was a scholarship player at UH.


  35. Maddog50 July 6, 2015 8:13 am

    Steven can you confirm Agasiva is out


  36. Da Punchbowl Kid July 6, 2015 8:34 am

    Ursua has a lot of promise – it would be great to have him available in the fall. And yes, he does look like some of the great running backs from UH’s past.

    Boyd Yap had that same kind of cutback fluidity I see in Ursua. Good luck to him.


  37. Stephen Tsai July 6, 2015 10:16 am

    New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=31680


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