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University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics

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NCAA Football: Hawaii practice 7/28/22

Football

Rainbow Warriors Kick Off Fall Camp

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors charged into the 2022 college football season and its inaugural season under head coach Timmy Chang with its first practice of Fall Camp on Wednesday morning at Cooke Practice Field.
 
The Rainbow Warriors held the first of 25 practices leading up to their home-opener August 27 versus Vanderbilt. UH is among a group of 18 FBS teams to begin practice in July in preparation for college football's Week Zero action. 
 
After an inspired spring season in which Chang rejuvenated the Warrior culture, work began in earnest as the players hit the field with a team nearly equal parts returnees and newcomers. Practice was split into two separate sessions, each with a different groups of players. It gave the opportunity for ample reps and teaching, a vital component for a team chock-full of first-time Warriors. 

 "I think we were all excited to just get in this type of setting," Chang said. "We had a great summer. The guys and our coaching staff worked hard getting up at five in the morning ready to go and eager. That's all I can ask of them…just being able to come out here and compete."   
The 110-player fall camp roster includes 60 players returning from last year's squad. They are joined by a group of 50 newcomers, including more than 30 who stepped on the practice field for the first time as Rainbow Warriors. More than a dozen FBS transfers from Power 5 schools have joined the 2022 roster. 

 
"The team looks different," Chang said. "I'm happy about that. We went recruiting and now it's (about) getting them meshed in."

UH returns just seven total starters, however, it's an extremely veteran group of returnees. All-Mountain West defensive tackle Blessman Ta'ala has appeared in 51 career games over four years, while linebacker Penei Pavihi begins his sixth season in the program. The offensive line is anchored by veterans Ilm Manning, Solo Vaipulu and Micah Vanterpool who have a combined 97 career starts. Chang will lean on that group to integrate the newcomers into the Warrior culture as the program aims for its fifth straight bowl invitation. 

"We want them to be tough, smart, disciplined, respectful and have a good attitude and come out here every day and work for the guy next to him," Chang said. 

The Rainbow Warriors are back to work at 6:45 a.m. on Thursday. All practices are open to the public.
 
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Players Mentioned

Ilm  Manning

#75 Ilm Manning

OL
6' 4"
Senior
Penei Pavihi

#1 Penei Pavihi

LB
6' 3"
Senior
Solo Vaipulu

#52 Solo Vaipulu

OL
6' 2"
Senior
Micah Vanterpool

#71 Micah Vanterpool

OL
6' 6"
Senior
Blessman Ta’ala

#55 Blessman Ta’ala

DL
6' 2"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Ilm  Manning

#75 Ilm Manning

6' 4"
Senior
OL
Penei Pavihi

#1 Penei Pavihi

6' 3"
Senior
LB
Solo Vaipulu

#52 Solo Vaipulu

6' 2"
Senior
OL
Micah Vanterpool

#71 Micah Vanterpool

6' 6"
Senior
OL
Blessman Ta’ala

#55 Blessman Ta’ala

6' 2"
Senior
DL