Throughout the course of fall camp, HawaiiAthletics.com will provide a breakdown of the 2019 Rainbow Warrior football team, position-by-position, as the team prepares for its home season opener against Arizona on Saturday, Aug. 24.
An offensive line that helped UH finish ninth nationally in passing comes back entirely intact and is the deepest in years. It's a mixture of youth and experience with three upperclassmen and two underclassmen projected to start in the trenches. Offensive line coach
Mark Weber said: "We still have to settle in, we're moving people around and seeing the best combination of five that has the best chemistry. It's a step a forward today—we've got two more weeks to see what combination works the best."
Returnees
Newcomers
| Offensive Line |
Ht |
Wt |
Cl |
Hometown (Last School) |
| Michael Eletise |
6-3 |
320 |
Jr. |
Honolulu, O'ahu (Arizona) |
| Eliki Tanuvasa |
6-2 |
285 |
So. |
Honolulu, O'ahu (Eastern Illinois) |
| Caden Hilborn |
6-5 |
285 |
Fr. |
Salt Lake City, Utah (Highland HS) |
| Arasi Mose |
6-5 |
345 |
Fr. |
Honolulu, O'ahu (Saint Louis School) |
| Kauka Umiamaka |
6-4 |
285 |
Fr. |
Kāne'ohe, O'ahu (Castle HS) |
| Bubba Wa'a |
6-2 |
295 |
Fr. |
Hau'ula, O'ahu (Crescent Valley HS) |
2018 OLs lost:
Kaiwi Chung
The Ones To Watch: Junior college transfer
Kohl Levao started all 14 games last season and moved from right tackle to center for the final three games of the season. Weber says of the 6-6, 340-pound senior: "Kohl brings a big physical presence, especially when we moved him inside. He's a physical football player and he brings chemistry to this offensive line. He's a guy who has personality, he loves football and that's what he brings to the group."
Ilm Manning (left tackle) and
Solo Vaipulu (right guard) were among just four true freshmen nationally to start every game last year on the offensive line. "Last year it was about getting these guys to the right place, knowing if it's a run or a pass, left or right. This year they know, it's much easier to install. Now they can focus more on fundamentals—which they've done. They're development have been tremendous," said Weber.
Fifth-year player
J.R. Hensley returns not only as the elder statesman of the line, but as one of the veteran leaders of the team. "J.R. is a physical guy, he'll get his hands on you. He knows he's got great footwork and he's played a lot of football, so that experience kicks in," says Weber.
Numbers To Know: The offensive line returns four players that started every game last season.
#KnowYourBows: Arizona transfer
Michael Eletise is still awaiting word on his playing status for this upcoming season, but no matter when he hits the field, his presence will be felt: "Michael is a physical and talented football player and he has good football sense and IQ… he's a fast learner. I expect him to really bring even more physicality to this group," said Weber...redshirt junior
Gene Pryor also received high praise from Weber, "Gene didn't see a lot of playing time last year but he has the potential to contribute to this line. He's extremely physical. He's still learning but he plays strong. He's a wonderful young man that plays hard."
In the Bloodline: Elias Wong's father, Hauoli Wong, played for UH and Brigham Young and was a seventh-round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins before playing a season for the Oakland Raiders...
Bubba Wa'a is related to former UH offensive lineman John Wa'a (cousin) and defensive back George Perry (uncle)...
J.R. Hensley's older brother, Ty, was drafted out of high school with the 30th overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees.
Fun Fact: Junior tackle
Ernest Moore also played basketball at City College of San Francisco with current Rainbow Warrior shooting guard Eddie Stansberry.
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