Life on the other side
Terrence Sayles’ move from wideout to cornerback is not a unique transition in Warrior history.
Blane Gaison made the move from offense to defense. Wayne Hunter was a UH defensive lineman before moving to offense and then enjoying a long NFL career as an offensive tackle. Michael Lafaele went from center to becoming the anchor of the 2007 defensive line.
Here’s a look at current Warriors who made the switch:
> Dejon Allen: He rotated between offense and defense — sometimes twice in the same week — before O-line coach Chris Naeole asked Allen to become a permanent blocker. In his first two UH seasons, he has allowed one sack in 887 pass plays and was penalized twice for holding in 1,743 snaps. He is now the starting left tackle.
> Max Broman: He joined the Warriors as a running back in 2013, then left the team for a year to earn enough money for school and living expenses. He rejoined last year … at linebacker. He made an interception off a tipped pass in Tuesday’s practice.
> Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea: The state’s top tight end prospect in 2012 signed with Arizona, then spent two seasons on defense. He was a weak-side linebacker for the Warriors in 2015. He entered this spring training as a No. 1 defensive end. He is recovering from a strained leg.
> Sione Kauhi: He was recruited as a tight end but practiced at defensive end during last year’s redshirt season. He now is back at tight end.
> Meffy Koloamatangi: He practiced at tight end before moving to defense permanently last year. He has emerged as one of the Warriors’ top defensive ends this spring.
> Daniel Lewis: As a true freshman in 2014, Lewis answered a request to fill a mid-season shortage at running back. The experiment lasted a couple weeks. He returned to defense, and now is the No. strong safety.
> David Manoa: In 2013, his first year at UH, he was named the top scout player for defense. The next year, he was at tight end. He moved back to defensive end after that. This spring, he has been a No 1 defensive end.
> Eperone Moananu: As a true freshman last year, he moved to defensive line at mid-season to boost the depth. He is back on offense this spring.
> Damien Packer: His impressive work ethic did not elevate into more playing time in a crowded secondary in 2014. He moved to receiver for a year before switching back to defense last year. He has been the No. 1 free safety this spring.
> Kory Rasmussen: After a year at Colorado, Rasmussen transferred to UH, where he rotated between offense and defense. Last year, he started in nine of the final 10 games. He is recovering from knee surgery this spring, but should be fully healthy for training camp.
> Metuisela Unga: He initially joined as a defensive end before switching two years ago. He has practiced as the No. 1 tight end this week.
Change is good!
Go Warriors!
Haka:
That would have been a better headline.
We’re going to have to put you on the staff.
Ha! ST, I won’t quite my day job.
Players trying to get on the field.
Trying to help the team.
Finding the right fit.
Gotta love it!
ST, I enjoyed your interview on the Bobby Curran Show. Interesting to hear about Diocemy’s proneness to injury. But as you mentioned, the coaches will be able to rotate Paul Harris and Steven Lakalaka to keep the RBs fresh. What’s in the plans for Mel Davis?
And just my opinion, I like Zwahlen to start at QB.
Excited to see Freddie Holly too!
# 5
Agree I like Z as qb
And Gaison memorably made the switch back from defense to offense at halftime.
ST: or “Hello from the other side”
may need permission from Adele though…
I even recall players such as Jesse Sapolu and Jim Mills playing some D-Line as freshmen before settling in on the O-Line, back when. Blane Gaison’s heroics as an emergency QB coming over from the secondary for Tomey’s team were memorable. No surprise that he went on to the NFL as a free agent.
Rolo was on the Curran Show one morning last week and mentioned that they were thinking again about moving Eperone to defense this spring to help with numbers but that coaches spoke up and said that he has a chance to be a really good OL guy and that if they kept moving him he might never reach his potential. And to answer A-house from last blog Rolo also spoke about adding a late JC sign but while there are many prospects still available no one sticks out as being a standout that will help them right away so they are thinking they might be better off giving playing time to one of the guys coming in with the latest recruiting class in the fall.
As legendary former UH coach and sports caster Larry Prices used to say “Agile, hostile and mobile.” Add to that “versatile” and we have the players featured in todays post. The willingness to change postions shows a lot of heart and dedication on their parts. Mahalo to all!
I like to watch them all at practice, but Dejon is becoming one my favorites because he is a positive and vocal leader on the team and very engaging with the fans. Add his stats to those things and ya gotta love the guy!
I’m liking Zwahalen at QB too, but it’s way early yet. The spring game is going to be interesting.
GO WARRIORS!!!
Sports headline today notes Kemp’s return as the #1 wideout. Did not know he was playing hurt and aplaude him for his toughness and dedication. Glad to hear that he is now good and in great physical condition. My wish is that Stutz is able to get him to catch hands first and get this technique down pat. With his size and leaping ability looking forward to many TD receptions from him.
Can’t wait to see Ursua in action. Mentioned before that he reminds me of Chad Owens, only with more quickness and speed. Kind of like a Jeff Synder clone. It has been awhile, but he is finally here!
Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
football in the air…anticipating spring game…just got to start mental reps…
just a short drive, traffic will be no problem….just a short drive, traffic will be no problem…just short drive,…
Change is good, change if not good…
IMUA WARRIORS!
Oops – got my tackles mixed up – sorry. 😳
Other two-way players, not just in practice, but actually game playing time, from back in my day: Kent Kafenztis, safety and running back; Kurt Kafenztis, safety and wide receiver; Louis Santiago, corner and running back; and Jack Sims, o line and dline.
ROLO ALERT!! Per today’s Maui News, BYU offered a Maui 8th grader, Sione Lolohea; 6′-5″, 235#, 14 yrs old! Freshman at Maui High next year. UH better check him out too!
QB to Safety seems to be a natural switch. Besides Blane Gaison, other notables that I can recall are Verlon Redd and Walter Briggs.
FYI, There are a ton of former high school QBs who played other positions at UH:
http://www.sportshawaii.com/sh/viewtopic.php?t=42253
Didn’t Rafael Cherry also play the safety position in the NFL?
Scott Harding of the not-so-distant past. Played both sides of sorts as a punter and punt returner as well as the slot.
Anyone know what time
practice starts tomorrow?
Go bows!!!!
11 am per Curran and the UH website.
Who is rolo talking about on Twitter? Who committed? Anyone know?
For the record Alonzo Smith “Jake” Gaither a legendary coach of Florida A & M is the author of “Agile Mobile and Hostile”. He was an innovator and motivator. Many have used his descriptive words, including myself dozens of times! Want this years edition of the Warriors to be the same-at least on the field. Go Warriors!
Great Morning All!
Have a great practice today, Warriors!
I’m not concerned about how our defense is anymore, it seems like they were the ones keeping us in most of the games we’ve played. I’m more concerned if the offense can get first downs and score in bunches.
Morning Tsaikos!
#24 – OT Josiah Maama
IMO, josaiah maama looks better at DE instead of OT by watching his highlight film.
GO BOWS!!!
Nick Nelson to Wisconsin.
https://t.co/VxQVSsYcWg
@UHsports808
You are the best source
GO BOWS!!
Have to give u the credit
Also love to read your straight foward sports opinions
Tua to commit on May 2.
“Tagovailoa told SI.com that USC, Alabama, Auburn, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss will likely be the five schools on his final list, which he plans to formally announce this week.”
http://www.si.com/college-football/2016/04/23/tua-tagovailoa-recruiting-commitment-usc-alabama-auburn-texas-am-ole-miss
Man I hoped tua had UH in the running
Thanks for the origin of that quote. Used to hear Coach Price use it when he was broadcasting for the preps.
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=37105