Corner the market
The rule of solving any puzzle is to start with the corners.
And after taking double hits the past three seasons — Jerrell Jackson and Barry Higdon left after the 2014 season; Ne’Quan Phillips and Nick Nelson departed after 2015, and Jamal Mayo and Jalen Rogers graduated in December — the Warriors have done a good job rebuilding the corners this spring.
There are 10 corners on the spring roster, although Tyrus Tuiasosopo is tending to personal matters and will resume practicing this summer.
Right cornerback Roe Farris and left corner Zach Wilson have taken many of the No. 1 snaps. Wilson also can slide to nickel corner, if needed.
Three mid-year additions have interesting backgrounds. Eugene Ford, who was Nick Rolovich’s first recruit in 2016, eventually met the NCAA Clearinghouse’s requirements to play for the Warriors. Manu Hudson-Rasmussen, who was born in Hawaii but raised in Oregon, found his way to Manoa via the JC route. Kayson Smith-Bejgrowicz was one of Hawaii’s top track and field athletes a few years ago.
Terrence Sayles, who practiced but was held out of games while trying to accumulate enough credits last fall, is finally in the mix.
Mykal Tolliver has played well in practices. Tolliver, who redshirted last year, is a graduate of Saint John Bosco, which fields one of the nation’s top football teams.
Cameron Hayes, who is on track to earn a bachelor’s degree at the end of his sixth UH semester, also has made large gains.
Read the whole post so hope I’m still first?
Saw that nice interception by RF on Saturday. Looking forward to the DB making some big plays this fall!
Hope they can stop tight ends
from slipping out and catching
a pass unnoticed.
Hopefully our DB’s notice when anyone catches a pass… 🙂
Great update ST. Great strides last year and even more this time!
Is Rasmussen a safety or a corner?
Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
Lots of action down this way. Used to be the street I lived on way back when…
Really hoping Tago can find his way back. You got a valuable package in football and a degree. Don’t lose it!
In any team sport, it’s always been the next man up. Looks like we got some good ones in the wings. Looking for a very competitive season.
IMUA WARRIORS!
@cappie the dog
I hope this helps you…you’ve been posting your concerns about Julissa Tago of the Wahine basketball team. The person suspended is football’s Jamie Tago. We all hope Jamie ends up with a positive outcome.
DB’s look real nice so far, the receivers not so much gonna miss Kemp! Saw Wilson manhandling receivers on the line last week, he got a lot stronger over the winter looks faster too!
ST, here is a question for you-in your opinion which players that prior to this spring are or were unknowns have made the greatest strides toward contributing. In each group like OL DL DE and so on. Just what you think or observed. Got to be some gems there-
It’s nice to see young men come in and step up and get the playing time. The better the program is getting, hopefully better and local players will come, making even easier for the coaches to look down the bench and pull the next guy up and not loose any level of playing experience. I can see this team battling for the conference championships real soon.
Any update Allen?
AIIG … answer to #6. Rasmussen has the ability/speed to play either … I thought he’d end up a nickel safety to cover third wideout or second slot. Looks like he’s showing enough to be provide corner depth. My guess is that Farris is solid while Wilson will battle Tolliver. Hayes looks like top backup at nickel and corner.
The real interesting name is athlete Smith-Bejgrowicz … certainly an unknown who could be a big surprise.
I like Ford but think he will redshirt due to year off. It should help him in the long run.
I thought that Ne’quan was here for 4 years? Started playing as a Frosh, anyone out there can help my memory?
You’re right, Ne’Quan Phillips, 2012-15.
To name a few others from the 2012 recruiting class: Dejon Allen, John Ursua, Leo Koloamatangi, Ikaika Woosley, Harold Moleni, Steven Lakalaka, Benny Fonua, Jerrol Garcia-Williams and Marrell Jackson. Marrell and Ne’Quan were from Florida.
#15 H-Man, thanks. So if Ne’quan was here 2012-2015, that’s 4 years from a Freshman to Senior; you do have 4 years of eligibility. Confused on the note by the Blog Host that he left after 2015. Did he redshirt during the 2012 to 2015 and he had one more year to play, did he go elsewhere to finish? Why does it say he and Nick Nelson departed after 2015?
We also lost CB/WR Kwamane Bowens after 1 year (2013) and CB Anthony Pierce medically retired
Also 2012 JC CB Ronnie Fields never left after 1 semester for Texas A&M Commerce
http://www.hawaiiathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=11542
http://lionathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1786
http://www.nfldraftdiamonds.com/draft-diamonds-prospect-interview-ronald-fields-db-texas-commerce/
.
Big Wave…dot’s it?
Ne’Quan played 4 years and completed his eligibility. Nick Nelson transferred in 2016 to the Wisconsin Badgers. He will be a senior this coming season.
Das it!
For heaven’s sake, Nequan left because he completed his eligibility.
OOps sorry
Ronnie Fields never played, he left after his initial spring semester
Speaking of guys who left, DE Marquis Fairchild left afree his 2014 Redshirt Frosh year and is still playing at Virginia Union
http://vuusports.com/mobile/index.aspx?rp_id=2616
After
Kwamane Bowen transferred to Texas State, but is now pursuing a career in rap & hip hop music
Great story on the UH pitcher hit by a line drive Mr. Tsai.
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=42303