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.
Gone is
Jahlani Tavai, the school's second all-time leading tackler and a second-round pick of the Detroit Lions. However, two of the team's top three tacklers from last year are back in
Solomon Matautia (92 tackles) and
Penei Pavihi (87 tackles). For linebackers coach
Mark Banker, it's a next-man-up attitude.
"It's always tough to lose a guy like Jahlani," Banker said. "But it's whoever's next, it's a new group, it's a new year. Last year when it came time to step up, Penei (Pavihi) took the lead role, then all of sudden
Kana'i Picanco shows up. It gives somebody else an opportunity and it comes in a different way."
Returnees
Newcomers
2018 linebackers lost:
Jahlani Tavai,
Rashaan Falemalu
The Ones To Watch: Solomon Matautia and
Penei Pavihi racked up a combined 179 tackles and 11.0 tackles-for-loss last season and coach Banker expects them to continue their high-level play. "Solomon and Penei know the expectation of the position and being a student-athlete on and off the field. We have an expectation to be great, but what is that? I want to see them take action, to take something each day, one thing at a time and improve on it and do it to their best of ability."
Sophomore
Paul Scott could play a more prominent role after serving as a reserve linebacker and earning the team's Special Teams MVP award last season. Banker said: "Paul has made a lot of progress. He's a talented athlete and a talented linebacker who is continuing to learn the position. He has the ability to make a ton of plays, it's just a matter of him continuing to be consistent."
Numbers To Know: Solomon Matautia has averaged better than seven tackles per game the last two seasons. With 199 career stops entering this season, the senior has the potential to crack UH's all-time top 10 in the category by year's end.
Welcome Back: After sitting out the majority of last year, redshirt junior
Jeremiah Pritchard aims for a comeback season. The Leone, American Samoa native has accounted for 62 total tackles and 10.5 tackles-for-loss in two seasons. "Right now he's headed in the right direction, he's worked himself into physical shape," said Banker. "He's running good, he works hard, and he understand the game of football. He has the tools and he has an understanding of the game of football. He adds to the group with his physicality, knowledge, and his experience."
Hard Work Pays Off: Junior college product
Kana'i Picanco went under the radar in high school but coach Banker says he's proved his worth,
"Picanco is one of those stories that you love in football and Hawai'i. He went to Damien High School and didn't get picked up by anybody. He went to a JC and played well but it still didn't work out for him. He came home walked on at UH and now he's on scholarship. He proved his worth little by little to himself, to the football team, and to the linebackers. Whenever he's in, he's productive."
The Next Generation: Freshman
Kila Kamakawiwo'ole (Saint Louis School, LB), as well as twin brother Kalani (Kamehameha Schools, DL), look to follow the footsteps of their father Kila, who suited up for the Rainbow Warriors from 2002-05. As a senior in 2005, the elder Kamakawiwo'ole led the team in tackles (84) and was named to the all-WAC second team on the defensive line.
Coach Banker's Last Word: "This group has done a great job progressing...from academics in the classroom, to technique on the field and to their overall defensive scheme and their ability to play football. Because of the work they've done — from spring camp to now —we're in a better position right now as a group than where we were last year. We've made good progress."
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