2017 Hawai'i Football Fall Camp Coverage | For more, visit @HawaiiFootball on Twitter
Day 1: Rainbow Warriors Open Fall Camp Hungry to Prove Themselves
Day 4: Brown Provides Stability at Quarterback in 2017 Offense
Day 7: Linebackers Unified Around Experienced Core
Day 8: Warriors Gunning for Greater Offensive Improvement in 2017
Day 9: Versatile Tight Ends and Receivers Look to Push Passing Attack to Next Level
Day 11: Warrior Secondary Uses Veterans to Balance Talented but Inexperienced Depth
Day 15 (Aug. 14): Special Teams Preview with Coordinator Mayur Chaudhari
Day 16 (Aug. 15): Running Backs Preview
Day 17 (Aug. 16): Defensive Line Preview
Day 18 (Aug. 17): Offensive Line Preview
Day 19 (Aug. 18): Defensive Preview with Coordinator Legi Suiaunoa
Day 20 (Aug. 19): Fall Camp Concludes

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i football team continued week three work on Wednesday at Cooke Practice Field, with the offense fighting through steady bouts of Manoa Mist, in addition heavy coverage by the defense.
 
In today's pass-heavy college football world, the Hawai'i secondary has a great sparring partner in the UH offense – a helpful key as the Warriors look to replace some key personnel in the defensive backfield. At cornerback, UH will be filling for graduated seniors Jalen Rogers and Jamal Mayo, an experienced duo who accounted for 120 tackles, five interceptions, six pass breakups and eight tackles for loss. However, deep in the defensive backfield, Hawai'i is working with a seasoned pair of safeties in Trayvon Henderson and Daniel Lewis, Jr.
 
Although Rogers topped the defensive backs with four picks a year ago, Henderson (6-0, Sacramento, Calif.) only slightly trailed, collecting three, in addition to ranking second on the team with 90 tackles and 10.5 stops for loss – also batting down seven more attempts. Entering his final season for UH, Henderson has played in 38 games with 27 starts and is a Preseason All-Mountain West selection. Lewis (5-11, New Iberia, La.) has logged 25 games with 12 starts after an injury put him out of action last year. During his sophomore year, Lewis recorded 47 tackles and three break-ups.
 
"With those older guys, their experience is giving some leadership," safeties coach Jacob Yoro said. "Guys like Trayvon and Daniel were selected as captains, which is a great thing for our room. They're doing a great job of leading the guys and getting the entire defensive unit on board."
 
In addition, sophomore Keala Santiago (6-0, Hau'ula, O'ahu) returns after seeing notable rookie playing time last year, adding 11 tackles a pass breakup from the safety position. Senior Austin Gerard (6-1, Pearl City, O'ahu) returns after appearing in seven games with seven tackles in 2016, while sophomore Kalen Hicks (6-3, Las Vegas, Nev.) saw time in three games as a rookie. Senior Tumua Tuinei (5-9, Honolulu, O'ahu) has seen career experience at linebacker and safety, playing five games in the secndary last season.
 
Joining the mix is freshman Damario Mclean (6-1, Elk Grove, Calif.), who totaled seven interceptions and 73 tackles during his final two prep seasons. Justice Augafa (5-11, Anchorage, Alaska) was the latest addition to the corps, notching 37 tackles, two deflections and an interception while playing multiple positions on both sides of the ball at LA Harbor College.
 
"I'm very pleased with what the safeties are doing in regard to their work ethic, and what they're trying to get accomplished." Yoro said. "We're definitely not satisfied. We've still got a lot of work in order to prepare for UMass, but the guys are doing a great job of trying to prepare themselves, and coming out here and getting better each day."
 
As for the corner position, the competition to start is wide open with an influx of young talent. Taking a leg up through notable playing time last year, sophomores Rojesterman Farris II, Zach Wilson and Cameron Hayes hold the best experience in the group. Farris (6-1, Coral Springs, Fla.) played every game and made six starts, registering 29 tackles, three breakups and an interception. Wilson (5-11, Upland, Calif.) saw game time in nine contests. Hayes (5-11, Los Angeles, Calif.) redshirted as a rookie and appeared in eight games last year. Mykal Tolliver (6-0, Belleflower, Calif.) is expected to produce this year after redshirting. Tolliver chalked up 38 tackles, 13 knockdowns and a pick as a senior for 19th-ranked St. John Bosco High School.
 
"At the end of the day, they decide who starts, not me," cornerbacks coach Abe Elimimian notes. "The biggest thing we want to see is competition. We want to see them make sure they know their assignments. We always say, 'assignment, alignment, technique and execution,' if we can do that on a consistent level, I think for the most part, we'll find whoever that guy is."
 
Looking to earn spots in the rotation, the Warriors added three corners in the recruiting class, Manu Hudson-Rasmussen, Eugene Ford and Akil Francisco. Joining UH from Riverside City College as a junior, Hudson-Rasmussen (6-0, Tigard, Ore.) grabbed three interceptions, with three breakups and 32 tackles – previously playing for Montana. Ford (6-2, Venice, Calif.) was first-team CIF all-city after picking up 87 tackles, two picks and four deflections as a senior. Francisco (6-0, Alameda, Calif.) was an all-league choice with 28 tackles, six interceptions and 15 pass breakups.
 
"I'm very pleased with their effort," Elimimian said. "In terms of the intricacies of the cornerback position, it's one of those things that you've got to be really, really detailed. We like to teach repetition – repetition in the classroom, repetition on the field and you practice like you play."
 
A recruiting emphasis for UH over the past two classes, there's even more Warriors working to earn playing time – including junior Terrence Sayles (6-2, Kerens, Texas), sophomore Austin Borengasser (6-2, Honolulu, O'ahu), sophomore Ben Scruton (6-1, Melbourne, Australia), Freshman Scheyenne Sanitoa (6-0, Fagatogo, American Samoa), freshman Donovan Dalton (6-4, Apple Valley, Minn.) and freshman Jay Dominique (6-2, Montreal, Canada).
 
"Like I tell the guys, there's no magic bullet, no magic secret, no elixir or potion, it's just about competing, practicing what you're going to try to do in practice, and apply it to the game," Elimimian said.
 
The Rainbow Warriors continue in their third week of camp on Thursday morning, taking on their 12th day of fall practices. Hawai'i kicks off the 2017 campaign on August 26 against Massachusetts in Amherst, Mass.