Throughout the course of fall camp, HawaiiAthletics.com will provide a breakdown of the 2021 Rainbow Warrior football team, position-by-position, as the team prepares for its season opener at UCLA on Saturday, Aug. 28. 
 
Last year running backs served as quasi-tight ends and H-backs when the situation called for it. Now for the first time since 2016, the University of Hawai'i has full-fledged tight ends at its disposal.
 
An influx of Power 5 transfers as well as a number of Rainbow Warriors who switched positions, has given UH a diverse group of athletes who should keep opposing defenses on their toes.
 
"It's refreshing to have them out there," tight ends coach Sam Bennett says. "To have these big dudes that can stretch the field vertically but who can also come back and block a defensive end, block a linebacker, and protect the quarterback…it's something that takes our offense to the next level."

 

Tight End	Ht	Wt	Cl	Hometown (Last School)
Caleb Phillips	6-5	230	Jr.	Encinitas, Calif. (Stanford)
Hekili Keliiliki	6-2	235	Jr.	Bentonville, Ark. (Bentonville HS)
Kolby Wyatt	6-3	235	Jr.	San Diego, Calif. (Georgia)
Kamuela Borden	6-4	250	So.	Pearl City, O'ahu ('Iolani School)
Steven Fiso	6-2	200	So.	Faga'itua High School (Aua, American Samoa)
Solo Turner	6-2	205	Fr.	Frisco, Texas (Baylor)
Landon Sims	6-3	205	Fr.	Gig Harbor, Wash. (Bentonville HS)

 



Power 5 Infusion: A trio of Power 5 transfers gives UH an immediate injection at the position. Stanford graduate transfer Caleb Phillips played linebacker while with the Cardinal, but now goes "back to his roots" returning to a position he last played in high school. According to Bennett he hasn't missed a beat. "Caleb's been impressive," Bennett says. "He's picking up the offense, blocking well and is a big target. It's nice to have 6-5 right there in the middle of the field and in the red zone. He's really come on and I'm excited about his future here."
 
Fellow San Diego native Kolby Wyatt comes to UH via the University of Georgia where he spent four years. Now he has his chance to shine for the Rainbow Warriors. "Kolby got his body right this summer," Bennett says. "His route running has gotten better and he's gaining full knowledge of the position. He's a very coachable kid and I love his mindset. Sky's the limit for him."
 
Bennett is also excited about the future of Solo Turner.  Prior to UH, Turner spent two years as a linebacker at Baylor and is now enjoying his move to tight end as a potential playmaker. Bennet says: "He's picking up the blocking schemes and he's a vertical threat. He's really having fun with it."
 
Changing Sides: A pair of Rainbow Warriors defenders are doing the switch with Kamuela Borden and Steven Fiso converting to tight end.  Fiso, a former safety, has primarily played on special teams the last two years. UH looks to capitalize on the athleticism of Fiso who was a multi-sport athlete in high school in his native American Samoa.
 
After previously playing on both the offensive and defensive lines, Borden may have finally found his home at tight end. "We call him Mr. Dependable," Bennett says. "He's a guy that we can put out at any point. He can block like a left tackle and he can run a route like a true tight end. He's a very, very smart football player and I love working with him."
 
The Utility Man:  Since first hitting the field in 2018, Hekili Keliiliki has done the dirty work whether in the backfield or on special teams. His unselfishness is on full display again this year with the junior working at both tight end and linebacker during fall camp. "He helped us drastically (at tight end) last year when we didn't have guys for it," Bennett says. "He's accountable and we can trust him to do anything. He really is Mr. Utility for us."
 
The Legacy Continues: Travis Sims was a record-breaking running back on UH's 1992 squad that captured the WAC championship and Holiday Bowl. Nearly three decades later his son Landon Sims hopes to bring the same type of success to the program as a freshman tight end. Despite playing a different position, the younger Sims will have a similar look by sporting the same No. 30 jersey as his father.
 
Bennett's Last Say: "Knowledge-wise, the tight end is probably the hardest position in this offense. You line up in so many different ways based on each play and you really need to study up. There's a reason these guys are in the room though. It's because they're smart, we trust them, and they make others around them better."