Warrior Beat

Anthony Mermea, a defensive lineman from Vista Murrieta High, has accepted a scholarship offer from the Warriors. He was one of seven to visit the Warriors the past weekend. He said he is 6-3, 305 pounds, and capable of running 40 yards in 5.1 seconds. He will compete at nose or 3-technique for the Warriors. “I decided to go where it’s more like home, and Hawaii is like home,” Mermea said. “Anywhere I go, I’m going to be away from […]

The roosters — and, yes, there actually are roosters roaming the UH campus — still were asleep when the first group of Warriors began the offseason conditioning program this morning. Strength/conditioning coordinator Bubba Reynolds has two rules: > If you’re late, you can make it up the next day … at 4:30 in the morning. > If one player messes up on a drill, everybody does two 71.5-yard sprints. The Warriors averaged 71.5 penalty yards per game last season. * […]

The two latest commitments — cornerback Damario Mclean and receiver Ralph Taufa‘asau — showed the Warriors’ persistence and ties in recruiting. Mclean said the Warriors had maintained consistent contact since the end of his junior year. Taufa‘asau was strongly recommended to the UH coaches through a former Warrior. Both players also provide flexibility. Mclean, at 6-2, is a tall defender who will get looks at both corner and safety. Taufa‘asau, at 6-4 1/2 and 220 pounds, is projected to compete […]

Damario Mclean of Elk Grove High in Sacramento and Ralph Taufa‘asau of Samoana High in American Samoa told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser they will sign letters of intent on Feb. 1, the first day 2017 recruits may put their commitments in writing. “I love Hawaii,” Mclean said. “It’s nice and beautiful. I grew up in Sacramento, and there are a lot of Bay Area guys out there. I should fit in there.” Mclean, who is 6 feet 2 and 185 pounds, […]

On Tuesday, the Warriors will begin workouts under strength/conditioning coordinator Bubba Reynolds, who is in his second year at that position. Reynolds has done an excellent job in developing the players. Here’s an update on the past S/C coordinators for UH football: > Mel deLaura: He was always willing to roll up his sleeves and go to work — well, if he wore sleeves. The joke is the last time deLaura wore sleeves was when he said, “I do.” DeLaura, […]

One of the things Hawaii does well is build things. The Stan Sheriff Center is an undeniable success that is well maintained. The Warrior Recreation Center is the best facility on the Manoa campus. The H-3 is the most picturesque drive in Hawaii. And the Hawaii Convention Center is a wonderful complex. But except for the Warrior Recreation Center — which probably attracts more students than Hamilton Library — facilities are largely underused. And therein is the concern as the […]

Yep, visiting hours are now open for the Warriors. With the dead period’s expiration at 11:59 last night, the Warriors are free to host and visit recruits through Jan. 29. This weekend, seven or eight recruits are expected to take official UH visits. Then on Sunday afternoon, the coaches will hit the road to recruit locally and on the mainland.

Former UH offensive tackle RJ Hollis will train in Hawaii ahead of the Warriors’ pro day in March. The decision allows Hollis to remain on football scholarship while working toward completing a bachelor’s degree in economics. “1 class left until I graduate,” Hollis texted to the Warrior Beat. Outside linebacker Jerrol Garcia-Williams, who graduated last month, also will remain in Hawaii while he recovers from thumb surgery. Garcia-Williams turned down an invitation to participate in this Sunday’s Tropicana Bowl. He […]