Spring breakouts
It’s early, and the Warriors won’t don pads until tomorrow — they’re in “pajamas,” in Rolo-speak — but a few have gained notice.
> John Ursua has dazzled as a slot receiver, punt returner and kickoff returner. He hasn’t played in a game in four years after working for a year, serving a two-year church mission, and redshirting. But he appears to be as quick as advertised.
> Dany Mulanga has drawn comparisons to Anthony Smith, who made the successful conversion from safety to outside linebacker 16 years ago.
> Ammon (rhymes with salmon) Barker is making the most of the clean-slate reboot. Barker fell off the depth chart last year. This spring, he has taken many of the reps with the No.1 offense. His leaping catch was the highlight of yesterday’s practice.
> An experiment is expected to become an establishment. Dejon Allen has looked good in his move from right guard to left tackle. In the NFL, college tackles become guards. UH has found inverted success, beginning with Ben Clarke’s move from center to tackle in 2014.
> Know those sneak teases of a movie that won’t be shown for another year? That’s the same deal with center Fred Ulu-Perry, who has to redshirt this season after transferring from UCLA. Ulu-Perry is the real deal.
> He wowed scouts with his production at pro day. He is organized and diligent in his work as a pro liaison and recruiting coordinator. Jason Cvercko might be one of Rolo’s best hires.
first?
Happy Aloha Friday!
So glad your back. Your information is so interesting! You makes us feel part of the “show”. Thanks again for being there for us. Grateful lurker.
How is the secondary looking so far?
If you are a true Warrior fan, you need to check out this quiz.
http://theidquiz.weebly.com/
The best matchup of the year might be one-on-one’s between teammates Fred Ulu-Perry and Kennedy Tulimasealii. If the coaches even let that happen. I’ll be there at 9 tomorrow to see what happens when the pads go on. They might charge to watch that match up.
Good morning everyone!
Yup, great to hear the insights from ST!
Although I know his deal was only practice and no games, Ursua looked like he could’ve easily played last year. His skills just stood out.
Was kinda worried about the LT position, but not so much now. It’s good to hear that Dejon can work the position and that he’s getting the reps from now. Easier to fill in RG from our roster than LT.
ST, thanks for the update. Good to have you back.
Mahalo for the updates, Stephen. Hope to be there tomorrow as well.
GO WARRIOS!!!
yes… I meant to say Warriors.
Pride Rock
KT is the real deal
I got KT when that battle takes place
Watch out for the late dirty play tho
By the O side of the ball.
I keep dreaming that I will one day read that Ulu Perry has been granted an NCAA waiver allowing him to play this season.
Guud Afternoon Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
Guud news about the “experiment” but who do we have after Dejon? Got to cultivate multi position players now. Too late if forced to while the season is in progress. We got 14 OL guys, who would be the natural OT?
Anyhoo, IMUA WARRIORS!
I know this has been asked before but how has Zwahlen looked at QB?
Glad to hear Barker is getting more reps. Always thought he was miss used by Chow. I think he will have a breakout season. Ewaliko is another I would like to see get more reps
15. Matt Norman has settled in has the back up left OT. He has been told he will get his playing time.
Just gonna leave this here, but I’m looking forward to an era without nequan and nick nelson. Both guys had difficulty wrapping up ball carriers. Will miss gaetano and julian, however. Talk about size of the fight in the dog, not to mention those guys could tackle!
Really excited for ursua, the return of saint juste, seeing what zwahlen and beau can do, and the modern day use of a tight end on offense. Feeling sorry for o-linemen that get run over by our president kennedy, tormented by jerrol and jahlani, and our various and hungry athletes in the defensive backfield that should welcome the return of a guy named trayvon.
To be continued…
Stephen, when opportunity affords how bout update on size and performance of Norman Clement Hensley et al. Bigs who RS last year. Got to be something solid there I would think-
From a spectator perspective Nick Nelson had a better year as a true freshman than his sophomore campaign in terms of big pass plays given up.
Welcome back, ST!
Look forward in seeing how this team shapes up this season. Might be some struggles early but I think Warriors are headed in da right direction.
I’m ready for some Spring football!
Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
Good to see the Warriors shaping up.
OFF Topic but…this is how the NCAA will sweep the rubbish under the rug…
NCAA President Mark Emmert told the AP this week……
“So in principle you’ve got a chain of command, all of which has as one of its fundamental responsibilities to make sure what’s going on in the classroom has integrity and meets the standards of that university,” he said. “To have the NCAA, an athletic association, then go over the top of all of those administrators and go down into the classroom and say, ‘No, no, no, we don’t think this is a good enough English class or a good enough math class,’ makes no sense whatsoever.”
Syracuse was sanctioned by the NCAA last year after a long investigation found a lack of institutional control. The bulk of the violations concerned athletic department officials interfering with academics and making sure star players stayed eligible. In that case, the problems more clearly stepped into the NCAA’s domain.
At North Carolina, the NCAA is investigating the role of athletic department staffers in steering athletes toward bogus independent studies classes. The NCAA took a while to become involved in North Carolina’s issues because the fake classes were available to all students, not just athletes. Emmert has said, without being specific, the conclusion of that investigation is near.
Excuse me but if you look at what they are charged with, it has nothing to do with the kinds of classes at the universities. It has everything to do with.. “athletic department officials INTERFERRING with academics and making sure star players stayed eligible” and “North Carolina’s issues because the FAKE classes were available to all students, not just athletes”
Does this look like the NCAA is being asked to determine if a class is good enough?
How much is this guy getting paid to put stuff like this out?
Ok, pau rant….
Wow! You’re back! I just noticed you have been back for a week. I’m happy for your return to the WB. The UH sports scene has not been complete during your absence. Enjoy life and don’t let the stress bugs bite. Back to my lurking station to catch up on a week of your blog posts.
I’ll say John Ursua is the real deal since he has not played a game yet for the Warriors. Has Ulu-Perry played one yet?:-)
April Fool, no new blog for today, lol.
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=36610