Throughout the course of fall camp, HawaiiAthletics.com will provide an in-depth breakdown of the 2015 Rainbow Warrior football team, position-by-position, leading up to the first week of regular-practices in preparation for UH's season opener against against Colorado on Sept. 3.
Outside Receivers | 

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HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors closed out their first week of fall camp practices on Saturday afternoon at Cooke Practice Field, with the competition intensifying on the second day of shells.
 
While both sides of the ball got their shots in during the 11-on-11 team portion of practice, the invigorated passing attack was the highlight for the offense, and the inside receivers and tight ends have proven to be a key component in the improvement from the spring.
 
This year's group of slot receivers is a balance of fresh faces and seasoned veterans. What some may lack in minutes played and starting experience, they surely make up for in their depth of talent.
 
"They've done a really great job adjusting to the offense," wide receivers coach Luke Matthews said. "They're really the only ones that have to move sides and understand a different type of play. Inside they have to deal with safeties, linebackers and even some corners that move inside. They haven't missed a beat in knowing their assignments and where they have to be."
 
One new face has drawn the most attention since his first day in the spring, in freshman slot receiver Dylan Collie—bringing an NFL pedigree to Manoa, as the younger brother of long-time Indianapolis Colts player Austin Collie, while another older brother and his father both played at BYU. Collie racked up over 1,200 yards receiving and 16 touchdowns through his final two years of high school. After redshirting as a freshman at BYU and serving a mission in Richmond, Va., he earned the top depth chart spot coming out of the spring.
 
Though it is his first year with the program, Collie brings a new wealth of experience to the group and has quickly taken on a leadership role amongst his peers.
 
 "The biggest threat that we have is in our ability to be consistent and our willingness to learn," Collie said.  "We've got a lot of younger guys on the depth chart. We take what coach Matthews says and we put it to  work the next day—that's something that will be able to take us through the season as we continue to listen  and make those changes and be the best inside receivers around."
 
 

 After suffering a season-ending injury prior to the 2012 season and playing as a member of the scout team in  2013, senior Ryan Pasoquen (6-0, 195, Wahiawa, O'ahu) returned to form last year, making ten starts—also  returning kicks.
 "He's just getting comfortable," said Matthews. "When I brought him over a year and a half ago, I saw that he  could run and has some natural things that just needed some more experience. Getting in the game last  year, even just on special teams, makes the guy more comfortable and confident, and it's reflected in his  play."
 
 Currently running second on the depth chart, Pasoquen factors to be a part of the inside game on the offense  this season and sees a notable role on the horizon for the unit in the 2015 passing game.
 
"There's some big things coming from the inside," Pasoquen said. "This offense is set up so that we can't be stopped, only we can stop ourselves. If we keep doing our thing, everyone is going to have a big year, not just the inside."
 
The slot position also runs deep, with fellow senior Duke Bukoski (6-0, 205, Honolulu, O'ahu) returning to action after making four appearances off the bench last season, while mid-year junior Kalei Letoto (5-8, 185, Honolulu, O'ahu) adds championship experience after aiding St. Louis to the 2010 HHSAA Division I State title alongside 2014 Heisman Trophy winner and Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota.
 
Another new face making waves is junior Makoa Camanse-Stevens (6-4, 205, Kailua, O'ahu), playing inside despite a split receiver body type. A two-year letterman at Arizona Western College, Camanse-Stevens previously played quarterback both at the collegiate and prep level, and was converted to wide receiver in his second season.
 
"He played quarterback in the past, so we know he has an understanding of the offense and of coverages, and that's just what we want an inside guy to have," said Matthews. "His foundation is great to work with, so we can just build on it and watch how he reacts."
 
The latest addition to the program is also drawing notice, as freshman John Ursua (5-10, 165, La'ie, O'ahu) joined the Rainbow Warriors just before camp, three years after his signing, first serving a mission in Paris, France. Ursua also played quarterback previously, earning Region 9 Offensive Most Valuable Player in Utah, while racking up 1,478 yards passing and 723 yards rushing with 21 touchdowns by air and 14 on the ground.
 
A bigger factor in the 2015 offense than in previous years will be the tight ends, and their boosted role has already been demonstrated in the early practices. The unit runs six deep, which has created a new level of competition, with Metuisela "Tui" 'Unga and Harold Moleni entering camp as the top of the group.

 

With 35 game appearances and 11 starts under his belt, senior Moleni (6-3, 235, West Valley City, Utah) headlines the unit. Moleni was a common face in last season's campaign, appearing in all 13 games with 10 catches for 74 yards, tying the team-lead with three receiving touchdowns—posting a career-high four catches for 34 yards against Utah State.  A sophomore, 'Unga (6-5, 240, Rochester, Calif.) returns after making nine appearances a year ago.
 
Accounting for only eight percent of the receptions last year and 25 percent of the receiving scores last season, the tight ends are excited about their expectation for an increased role in 2015.
 
 "Because of the change in the offense and change in the personnel, we're a lot quicker, not only as tight ends but in the slot position as well," Moleni said. "I'm very excited. As a tight end, you're half-lineman, half-receiver, and every lineman's dream is to catch a touchdown."
 
In addition to being a leader on the field, Moleni is also a leader in the classroom for the Rainbow Warriors. Named a Shidler College of Business Scholar-Athlete, he was also a recipient of a Mountain West Scholar-Athlete Award for the third consecutive season, along with classmates Ben Clarke and Luke Shawley.
 
"It's embarrassing sometimes," Moleni said with a joking smile, "because they make you stand up in meetings. I've had a few teammates come to ask me about academics or their homework, and that always feels nice to be able to help them out in any way that I can."
 
A new addition for the unit has piqued bystanders' interest, in camp arrival Davasyia Hagger (6-6, 230, Beaverton, Ore.). He comes to Manoa after one season at Orange Coast College, where he was a hybrid receiver/tight end, accumulating 43 receptions for 620 yards and six TDs—while also playing basketball for OCC, leading the team in points, rebounds and blocks. He's noted as a high-ceiling player, with only three years of organized football under his belt, including his redshirt year as a preferred walk-on at Oregon.
 
"All three have different playing styles," Matthews said. "Harold's been here and knows the system. When Coach [Don] Bailey came in, he picked it up really quickly, and he knows what we expect as far as technique goes. With Tui and Davasyia, even though they have a lot to learn, they're making great strides and are making a lot of plays. They add more of a vertical threat that we haven't had in previous years."
 
Also working in reps this fall has been mid-year freshman Brennen Brooks (6-3, 220, Richmond, Calif.) and Dakota Torres (6-2, 245, Wai'anae, O'ahu), who is coming off a redshirt last season, while freshman Sione Kauhi (6-5, 275, Wilsonville, Ore.) joined the 'Bows in January after serving a mission in Phoenix.
 
The offense and the newly-boosted passing will continue to be tested and test the 'Bows defense as they start their second week on Monday at 2:15 p.m. on Cooke Practice Field.