2016 Hawai'i Football Fall Camp
Day 1: Into The Fire: Football Opens 2016 Camp With Strong First Day
Day 2: Football Building The Team Behind The Team
Day 3: Shells On And It's Sweet Home Hawai'i For Football Staff
Day 4: Summer Dedication Paying Off As Football Camp Rolls Into Day Four
Day 5: Football's Offensive Line Leading The Drive Into 2016
Day 6: Experienced Outside Receivers Unit Looking For Big Plays In 2016
Day 7: Returning Inside Men Provide Versatility For Football's Offense
Day 8: 'Bows Rise To Meet Challenges
 

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HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i football team moved into double-digit practices on Wednesday morning at Cooke Practice Field. The Rainbow Warriors went to work in shells in fall camp's 10th practice with a strong showing offensively.

Highlighting the team sessions in the back half of practice, bystanders witnessed junior running back Diocemy Saint Juste slice through the defense for a 50-yard near touchdown aided by solid downfield blocking. Later, big back Melvin Davis also broke off an explosive run.

Taking a front-and-center role in many offensive successes throughout camp, the running backs unit figures to be a prominent factor for the Rainbow Warriors in 2016 under first-year head coach Nick Rolovich.

Last year, the unit accounted for 12 touchdowns on the ground and 1,630 yards for the UH offense. They also return all but one core back from a year ago, and put a former standout back in play.

"They should contribute a lot within our offense and what we bring right now is a lot of depth, experience and talent within the group," offensive coordinator and running backs coach Brian Smith said. "It's a senior-heavy group and there's strong camaraderie within the unit; the guys are rooting for each other to do well. They are excited for everyone to play well even though they are competing against each other."

Under the spotlight after his 2015 showing, senior Paul Harris proved to be the most productive of UH's 2015 running backs, putting up 1,132 yards and tying Davis for the team high of six rushing scores. After a five-year gap, he became the first back since Alex Green to surpass 1,000 yards and is only the ninth in program history.

"Paul has very electric speed," Smith said. "He has that real big-play ability, which complements Diocemy's skills well."

That big-play ability was on display last year, when he broke a 60-year record with a 95-yard touchdown down the sideline against UC Davis. The Columbus, Ohio native averaged nearly 100 yards per game, crossing the century mark in six games—tying a school record with four straight to close the year. He also ranked fifth in the Mountain West and 44th nationally with 5.7 yards per carry on average.

However, while bringing back a proven playmaker, UH's well runs much deeper in 2016, also marking the resurgence of Saint Juste, who played in 25 games through his first two years with a reputation as a shifty speedster.

"He has really great vision, great quickness balance and also has power for someone people might consider on the small side," Smith said. "He's a powerful kid, so we also don't feel like we lose anything in protection with him."

Last season, a persistent preseason injury forced him to redshirt. However, the Boynton Beach, Fla. complete back has thrust himself into heavy rotation this fall. After coming back at full strength, he's looking to build on his 586 current career yards.

"It feels great to be back in a place where I can contribute and I feel like our unit is doing really well this year," Saint Juste said. "Being healthy, I'll be able to contribute to it much more than in previous years."

Saint Juste has seen very limited passes thrown his way across his career, and last season, Harris registered 151 yards as a receiver. Getting the backs involved in the passing game is important in 2016, but beefing up the protection schemes is a focual point as well. With a plan in place to balance the offense, offseason emphasis for the new staff has produced significant growth in the role of the backs as pass blockers.

"Fundamentally we've spent a lot of time on protection," Smith said. "Picking up pressures and how to be fundamentally sound in protection was an emphasis heading into this year."

Another long-term Rainbow Warrior back in the mix is senior Steven Lakalaka, accumulating 1,301 career yards and six touchdowns to date with a 4.1-yard average.

"Steven is very much a veteran here and is a leader within the group and the team," Smith said. "It brings a lot of experience and leadership to his demeanor, which is great to have, especially with that position group."

Noted as an all-around back, the Punahou School graduate led all UH rushers in 2014 with 646 yards on 159 carries, outpacing 2015 New England Patriots draft pick Joey Iosefa.

"I have a little bit of everything," Lakalaka said of his playing style. "Sometimes I can make my moves and be shifty, sometimes I've got to power. I can go out and make the catch, but I'm ready if I've got to block."

His role as highlight pass blocker in his career has limited his role as a receiver, but he's snagged 152 yards by air in his time at UH.

Bigger backs will always be an important factor in any offense, and UH has a pair that can do some damage between the tackles. A big-bruiser type at 235 pounds, Davis was second on the team with 218 yards and six scores on 59 carries a year ago. The senior also made three catches for 52 yards and can move well for his size, especially with a head of steam. Showing some flashes at the end of the 2015 season, junior Ryan Tuiasoa returns as a leaner big back with a maintained physicality. He converted 18 carries into 79 yards in three games last year.

"I can honestly say we've got a pretty diverse and well-rounded unit," Saint Juste said. "I feel like we've got the whole package and can be an upper-tier unit in the Mountain West. We've got speed as a group, we've got power and we've got shiftiness. We all bring something different to the table."

Adding more talent to the already deep group, UH picked up Freddie Holly III in the signing class. He comes out of Riverside, Calif. and Norte Vista High School, and is battling to get his foot in the door with so much experience returning. Rivals ranked him as the No. 19 back in the class after he set school career rushing records of 5,752 yards and 69 touchdowns as one of the top-producing backs in the state. Another intriguing newcomer, Japanese-born Genta Ito joins UH from Santa Monica College.

"It's going to be a great unit," Harris said. "I feel like we're going to be the backbone of the offense because we've got a lot of talent and depth, and every time we send somebody different in, they bring something different to the table. We can tire the defense out and if one back gets worn down, we can put a fresh-leg guy in and keep them off-balance."

A special-teamer in 2015, Kaiwi Chung has moved over to the tight end position.

After adjusting the schedule on Wednesday, the 'Bows return to Cooke Field for practice No. 11 on Thursday with a single practice in shells at 6:30 a.m.