Warriors land Portland prep receiver
Wideout Isaia Mullen of Portland’s Madison High told the Warrior Beat he has made a verbal commitment to play for the Warriors next year.
Mullen, who is 6 feet 4 and 200 pounds, also was recruited by Washington, Washington State and Oregon State, according to Madison coach Don Johnson Jr.
But Mullen has felt comfortable with UH since the coaching staff was formed in December. D-line coach Legi Suiaunoa had known about Mullen when he was a Montana assistant last year. Jake Cookus, who was UH’s special teams coordinator before leaving earlier this year, was Mullen’s point recruiter before receivers coach Kefense Hynson took over.
“They stayed with him,” Johnson said. “And they created an atmosphere, and he really liked the coaches a lot. He thought he could play for them, and what they’ve got going, and what they’re changing. He fell in love with (UH).”
Johnson said Mullen trains with Darron Thomas, a former Oregon quarterback, and runs routes each summer against former ex-pro players.
“He fell in love with the game, and now he’s getting polished,” Johnson said. “His freshman year of college can be special because he’s getting better every year.”
First?
Great to hear some of the recruiting efforts are starting to bear some returns. Keep it up!
Great Morning All!
Welcome Mr. Mullen.
Coach Rolo was anxiously awaiting a call during CTC last night. Coulda been this one!
Good Morning, Tsaikos! Welcome to the Warriors Isaia Mullen!
Great news–welcome Mr. Mullen; you sound like an impact player that we need!
Per yesterday’s below post: I totally agree that Rolo should put in a triple-option package into our gameplan for a series or 2 (keep using it until they can stop it). I have been saying this since the JJ days! We got the great running backs & QB to run it!
Shoko September 21, 2016 at 6:48 am
I was watching Air Force play Abilene Christian the other night and started to wonder if Rolo can implement a triple-option package for Brown. The blocking schemes doesn’t seem difficult, and since DB comes from a JC that ran the Triple-Option he’s probably familiar with the post-snap reads It might be a good way adding a wrinkle to the offense and provide an added boost to the run game.
It will also cause headaches to future opposing teams–their defense will have to prepare two defensive packages; which takes away practice time from each package!
Can you imagine if we had to play a team that runs both offenses–auwe!
Aloha to wide out Isaia Mullen.
Welcome to the land of chocolate macadamia nuts
and Tsaikos
🙂
UH offensive coordinator, Brian Smith, coached big numbers
at Occidental College before coming here to help Rolo.
Occidental averaged 33.8 points and 480.6 yards of total offense per game in 2015 and featured Conference Player of the Year running back Kwame Do, who ran for a single-season record 1,571 yards (174.6 avg.) and 13 touchdowns. Do, who was second nationally in rushing in Division III, finished as the league’s career rushing leader (4,133 yards) and ran for more than 1,000 yards each season with Smith on staff. All-conference quarterback Bryan Scott threw for 2,541 yards (282.3 avg.) and 22 touchdowns.
Wonder if Kwame Do wants to transfer to UH as well as their qb….
Rolo likes big recievers?
Anyone know why kahuku
football coach “no comment”
On loss to Bishop Gorman ?
Why did we lose so badly?
I like the fact that he was also recruited by 3 PAC-12 schools … must be legit … now to wait till he signs his LOI …
LIVE ALOHA / PLAY WARRIOR / DEFEND THE ROCK … GO ‘BOWS !!!!!
Welcome to the Warriors, Isaia.
Triple option? Yes! With a great passing attack too, please.
GO WARRIORS!!!
#9 Speed … Hawaii kids are great blockers and tacklers but we don’t have guys with both the size and speed you see in some Mainland kids. Ashley was a rarity that does not reflect the norm in the islands. Local football is a good quality tough style game, but for the most part, overall team speed isn’t there.
Triple Option or option? You guys are either too young to remember or have a short memory. When Bob Wagner ran the triple option and was successful, everything was cool, but when he started to lose, fans wanted Wagner and his option out. Fans got their wish and in came Fred von Oppen. Bad move. June Jones replaced von Oppen with the Run n’ Shoot. Fans said hallelujah and never the option again. Full circle. Now you guys are asking for the return to the option? Wow.
#10 I’m happy we’re his choice, but I reviewed “Ranked by Offers” and saw no evidence of PAC 12 offers as yet. He’s probably a raw talent that is on the bubble for a Power 5 offer. UH will provide him the best opportunity to play and develop to maximize his chances at the next level. Certainly, he is athletic enough to get a Power 5 offer.
The triple option didn’t work after Paul Johnson left.
GOOD AFTERNOON, HAWAII!
The triple option – whether it works or not – is dependent on personnel and the coach. It still works for Navy, Air Force, Georgia Tech etc.
Of course the triple option is dependent on a running back going up the middle!
(Usually on the first play. Norm Chow detractors, please note.)
Kwame Do, he is a 5th year senior this season
http://www.oxyathletics.com/sports/fball/2013-14/bios/do_kwame_ztrr
Brian Scott is a 4th year senior
Occidental is a D3 school, nuff said.
So far, the offense is able to score some points, averaged 33 points, outside of Michigan. The big problem is on defense. It is what it is! Hawaii will have to score enough points to win offensesive shootouts, scores like 45-40, 38-35, 47-45, 34-31 etc. There will be not blowouts, except against San Diego State and Boise State. So, winning or losing will come down to being smart, turnovers, special teams play, and 1 or 2 huge plays in each conference game. It starts with the QB. In fairness, Ikaika played against 3 Power 5 teams and T-Martin so that was tough, yes. At the same time, in all fairness also, he did not have very good games or good enough winning or very productive performances. Even when he threw for TDs, he still made 3 ints which results in 3 scores by T-Martin. Dru Brown has shown some good decisions and played pretty well in a back up role. Maybe his play warrants more of an opportunity to see what he can do. Ikaika will be there to play if needed, as well as Zwahlen in case Brown gets hurt or have a bad game. But, Rolo and the team needs to find out if Brown can play well enough to help our team to a win. Practice is practice, but under the bright lights when it really counts we have to find out who can do the job and the only way you can do that is to play the guys. Same things goes for the other positions too.
Just an observation on Ikaika’s throws: Sometimes, his throws are so hard that the accuracy is compromised or the receivers drops the ball. On deep throws, his passes sometimes are so much on a line that the ball sails over the head of the receivers, rather than the passes drop in the receivers hands in a better trajectory
and arc. So yes, sometimes nice pass, sometimes very good, or not good. When you add it all up get 50% accuracy and 50% not so accurate. That’s what Ikaika has pretty much produced throughout his career so far. I want him to do better on a more consistent basis. But time is running out on his senior year with 9 more games left. Tough deal, but as a loyal UH fan, I’m still hoping for a 7-6 record after the regular season, which means a bowl game. That means we’ll have to go 6-3 the rest of the season or 5-3 in conference and win against UMass in the last game. That will do it! Here’s hoping, and if you told Rolo right now that the overall record would end up 7-6 he would say he’ll take it right now, not doubt about it!!!
Remember these are verbal commits. If a PAC 12 offer comes his way……
15. Some fans did not like the triple option when Johnson was here too. I remember seeing them yelling at Paul as he made his way up the stairs to get to the coaches booth. I thought then that he would not be here much longer.
Thank you, Shoko for starting up some dialogue about the triple-option.
I don’t have the clout, or cred.
All I know is that Navy lost their starting QB(poor guy, finally gets his shot after sitting behind all-everything Keenan), and they insert the backup with barely a hiccup, admittedly, against mediocre foes(Connecticut, Tulane).
If we’re going to run, I think the triple-option gives us a better chance to convert on third and long instead of giving it to Lakalaka up the middle.
The triple option, it would seem, to fit Ikaika Woosley’s skill-set the best.
As you know, Mackenzie Milton was recruited by Navy.
But don’t get me wrong. I’m not a hater.
I took the over(5 wins) with a friend at work, who is always talking sh** about UH because he’s a former Hawaii Pacific baseball player who complains constantly about Coach Murakami ducking his team.
God, I want this football program to get back on track.
I don’t like a witch hunt.
I hope Ikaika Woosley gets the start against Nevada. After all, in our one winnable game, Hawaii won.
On another note, I think the volleyball player profiled in today’s sports pages sort of dumped on Dave Shoji’s program, and furthers the purported stereotype that Punahou grads can sometimes be snobs.
In volleyball, Hawaii is big time.
Ed Zachary!
Heard J. Veneri talking about Johnson’s ability to tweak his offense “on the fly” in order to find success. That level of mastery (i.e.-JJ and the RnS) is rare and hard to come by.
Give this HC and his staff a chance to develop the personnel to do what they need/want to do.
Big difference between what Chow and von Appen left in the cupboard before exiting…
…in no way am I demeaning the effort that the current crop is putting forth but I will give loads o’ credit to the Staff for coaching up this team to 2-3 more W’s this season.
sorry, cappie, but I think the over may be a stretch.
I’d love to see ya win, but…
Condolences to BG.
Love and prayers for BG and his ohana.
Well, since words often get mistranslated here, for the record, I said triple-option package as a wrinkle to the run game, and not triple-option exclusively like the service academies.
However, I think Rolo has some horses in the stable to run it but as Tom mentioned you need to have coaches to teach it. I remember Rolo once saying, the Pistol offense wasn’t in his DNA during a radio interview, and perhaps the triple-option is not in his repertoire, either. I trust Rolo will stay in his comfort zone and coach what he knows when he continues to build the program.
Anyway, since we’re talking about the triple-option, it looks like there might be a battle for the CiC trophy this year between Navy, Air Force and Army. Jeff Monken looks to have a pretty good team in his third year. Would be nice for Army to win it since it’s only been like 20 years the last time they won the coveted trophy. Wonder what Rich Ellerson is doing these days.
Errr… misinterpreted.
Night!
All the best this weekend to Mililani grad and true freshman Mckenzie Milton who at barely 5′-11″ and 170 lbs TOPS, is going to be the starter for UCF.
21. “…I hope Ikaika Woosley gets the start against Nevada. After all, in our one winnable game, Hawaii won….”
Okay. But 50% completion rate won’t make it even against Nevada. If he starts, we’ll probably fall behind early because the offense can’t put up points and the defense won’t be able to handle all the 3 and outs and the interceptions he will throw in the first half.
If they do make the change in the 2nd half, the difference in points may be too much for DB to makeup and the defense will probably too tired from being on the field in the first half.
Enough already! IW had his chance. If Hawaii wants to end up at 1-12, 2-11 or 3-10, then they should start IW for the remainder of the year.
There are no guarantees Hawaii will win even with DB at the helm. However, it seems clear he is able to move the offense more effectively than IW. And, he provides hope for the offense that IW does not. We know what he can do. He has a 50% completion rate and a 1 to 1 TD to interception ratio.
What is the worse can DB do? If Hawaii goes 3-10 with DB at the helm, then we know we got the same result. I just think he will do a lot better than IW ever did as QB.
#13 P.Johnsons option may have still worked here after he left. If my memory is right, Hawaii wanted to be the Harvard of the Pacific. Thus including admission requirement Alg2, No Proposition 48 players. (ie Brian Gordon) that when coaches started leaving. Bob Wanger was screwed.One of J Jones agreement to coach here was that he was given an option to have those academic players reviewed by admission.
Prayers and positive thoughts for BG, family and friends.
Triple option isn’t just a formation you throw in. It’s an entirely new system with reads and technique that needs a lot of practice. Installing a triple option package might not be as simple as we think it is.
“Anyone know why kahuku
football coach “no comment”
On loss to Bishop Gorman ?
Why did we lose so badly?”
I’m assuming it’s because Kahuku can’t throw the ball to save their lives. they were running a formation with 8 down linemen, no receivers, and the quarterback in the shotgun, and just diving left, right, and middle the entire night. They couldn’t bully bishop gorman at the point of attack like they could with Radford, and they had no passing game to keep the defense honest.
I would think a better alternative than spending practice time to install basically a new offensive package midseason would be to just spend the time practicing their base offense and getting as good as they can executing it while having that momentum carry over to next year.
GOOD EVENING, HAWAII!
There are “gamers” who are lousy at practices.
Our family sends it deepest sympathy to BG for the loss of Betty whom we cherished very deeply!
i would like to see UH attack the perimeters more be it a straight running play, misdirection, or pass by the “option QB”
i liked the wrinkle of Kemp going in motion, receiving the ball, and going for the corner – this is no “trick play” — it’s part of the overall offensive scheme
did football practice today? who was running the 1st team? 2nd team? scout team?
some one mentioned McDonald get chance – is sooooo?
A-House: the first practice is tomorrow (thursday).
Hana Pa’a x 2!
My sincere condolences to BG and his Ohana at the passing of his wife Betty. May God give you peace and comfort!
Hey! He just made a verbal committed to play football at the University of Hawaii. But its to early to say yet?. Just remember like two Mililani High School football players. Two of them made a issue of playing at Oregon and Hawaii! In last minute they’re change their minds! One went to the USC and the other went to Central Florida!. Good luck but it’s to early to say!. If they keep their promise to play at the University of Hawaii? It’s been great!. Because, I don’t want to get high on that yet. But it will be cool if they get the kids from Kingside, Ca. Hawaii can put him as a noses tackle! I won’t like to be a center and looking up to a 7 feet and 440lb. Not even a quarterback too. Because, I know how it feels! My friend was 6’5 687lb. And other friend was 6’8 765lb. They were from Hawaii. They could run for they’re sizes! Let them fall on top of you? I never see that kind of size from Hawaii before!. Because, I was born in Oklahoma City and went two years in Hawaii. People said that Hawaii is a nice place to live! But I think that? That not the only reason! The people have the biggest heart and Ohana move then the mainland! That not lie!
I would like to Woolsey start at DB. Start Brown at quarterback! If you put Woolsey as your starting quarterback expect another losing season! Because he isn’t a division one quarterback! He might be great at division two or JCC!.
I think Dru has a lot of potential and if Rolo wants to go with that I am fine. But the decision to start with Ikaika initially was a good one. He is a 50% passer, but his real issue is his inconsistency. He has won 6 games 3 MWC, including SJSU in a road game, and 3 FCS and losing to UW by 1 point, OSU by 8, during the Chow era. He is streaky, in the Wyoming game coming in down 21 and going 7/8 with 4 TD drives including 2 TD passes to win. Vs TMU he throws 4 TD’s, but 3 INT’s. Frustrating and so far no one has been able to fix him.
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=39356