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. 
 
Strength in numbers. The Rainbow Warrior defensive line has multiple players with multiple talents to fill in the multiple schemes of UH's War Dog defense.
 
"I think we're going to have a pretty solid rotation," says defensive line coach Dan Phillips.
 
With virtually everyone back from last year, an influx of talented transfers and a better prepared squad—both mentally and physically—big things are expected from the big boys up front.   
 
According to Philips the role of the defensive line is clear: "Our job is to stop the run," he says. "We want to re-establish the line of scrimmage and impact the quarterback. But our main focus is to stop the run."


Returnees
 

Defensive Line	Ht	Wt	Cl	2020 Stats
DJuan Matthews	5-11	275	Sr.	27 tkls, 3.5 TFL
Derek Thomas	6-3	230	Sr.	6 GP
John Tuitupou	6-4	300	Sr.	11 tkls, 0.5 TFL
Alema Kapoi	6-0	270	Jr.	5 GP, 4 tkls
Mason Mataafa	6-4	250	Jr.	2 GP
Blessman Ta'ala	6-1	300	Jr.	21 tkls, 1.5 TFL
Justus Tavai	6-3	295	Jr.	35 tkls, 4.0 TFL, 2.0 sks
Andrew Choi	6-1	230	So.	2 GP
Jonah Laulu	6-6	280	So.	26 tkls, 5.0 TFL, 1.5 sks
Zach Ritner	6-3	240	So.	1 GP
Fo'i Shaw	6-0	290	So.	3 GP
Mark Blocker II	6-3	230	R-Fr.	Scout team
Gabriel Iniquez Jr.	6-2	270	Fr.	Scout team
Ezra Evaimalo	6-1	245	Fr.	Scout team

                              
                      
    

    
    
   

  
 
 
 



 
 2020 DLs lost: Makai Manuwai, Doug Russell, Mason Vega

Newcomers
 

Defensive Line	Ht	Wt	Cl	Hometown (Last School)
Pita Tonga	6-1	310	Sr.	Taylorsville, Utah (Utah)
Zacchaeus McKinney	6-4	270	Jr.	Fort Worth, Texas (Oklahoma)
O'tay Baker	6-4	240	So.	Mesquite, Texas (Tyler Junior College)
Kalani Atwood	6-3	250	Fr.	Hale'iwa, O'ahu (Leilehua HS)
Tariq Jones	6-2	235	Fr.	New Orleans, La. (McDonogh 35 HS)

 
Department of the Interior: Blessman Ta'ala is a disruptive force who has earned all-Mountain West honorable mention in back-to-back seasons. He's also been reliable with 34 starts and not a single missed game in the last three seasons. Phillips says of the veteran: "He leads with his actions. He works extremely hard, is extremely smart and is truly a strong, spiritual leader in our room."
 
Justus Tavai enjoyed a breakthrough season last year, stepping out of the shadow of older brother Jahlani Tavai of the Detroit Lions. Tavai led all defensive linemen in tackles (35) last year while playing both nose guard and end. "He really came on last year," Phillips says. "He's so athletic and so powerful. We really can expand and build on his role in the defense after the solid season he had last year."
 
DJuan Matthews is another veteran player who can wreak havoc at multiple spots. Phillips says: "He's the bulldog of the group. He's got a true Warrior mentality and epitomizes the emotional intensity you need to play the game. I want everyone to match his intensity and focus every day." 
 
Dual Threat?: The last time UH fans saw Jonah Laulu he was the starting tight end in UH's New Mexico Bowl win over Houston, a win in which he contributed with his first career touchdown catch. The door remains open for him to again play tight end, but right now expect the Las Vegas native to return to the defensive line where he gives the Rainbow Warriors a jolt of length and athleticism. "Jonah's has really stepped up his game," Philips say. "He's quicker off the football, he's athletic, long and big. He fits the mold and has really come on strong. He should have a big year."
   
Impact Transfers: A trio of transfers—two from Power 5 schools and one from the junior college ranks—should figure prominently in the rotation with their ability to play on every down and at various spots.
 
Zacchaeus McKinney joined the team in the spring from the University of Oklahoma where he was part of of the Sooners' College Football Playoff national semifinal teams of 2017, '18 and '19. "Coming in the spring gave him time to get used to the islands, to our schematics and to our program," Phillips says. "He's bought in and he's done a good job of bringing energy to the group every day."
 
Pita Tonga is another graduate transfer with a championship pedigree. Tonga played 36 career games for Utah and stared six during the Utes' 2018 march to the Pac-12 title game. "Pita went on his mission, he played at Utah, he's married, has a child, and now he's here. He just brings a level of experience and maturity which is really good for us."
 
O'tay Baker was an all-conference player at Tyler Junior College in Texas and is a tremendous pass rusher. "O'tay has big-time upside," Phillips says. "He and Zach (McKinney) bring another skill set to the group with some twitch, quickness and length. They'll be vital for us up front."
 
Others To Watch: Veterans Derek Thomas, Alema Kapoi and John Tuitupou are candidates to be in the rotation. Phillips says freshman Ezra Evaimalo, who was a scout team player last year, is someone to keep an eye on in the future.
 
Phillips' Last Say: "Our diversity is what makes us better. We're not just cookie cutter players. We have a good, diverse group that can bring different things to the table to help us win."