Throughout the course of fall camp, HawaiiAthletics.com will provide a breakdown of the 2022 Rainbow Warrior football team, position-by-position, as the team prepares for its season opener versus Vanderbilt on Saturday, Aug. 27. 
 
The UH quarterback battle is in full swing with the starter yet to be determined. But one thing is for certain. No matter who it is, he'll have a bounty of targets at his disposal. There's excitement in the air and receivers coach Jared Ursua believes his group will make a difference in more ways than one.

"We're gonna be in charge of creating explosive plays," Ursua said. "We're gonna have to make plays down the field, win those one-one-ones and catch the ball in tight windows. The other part in orchestrating the big play is blocking. We have to focus on making sure we block downfield so that we can open it up for our run game as well." 

Position coach Thomas Sheffield sees a similar role for the tight ends. "I think they're gonna have a huge factor in what we do," he said "We feel like we have the bodies and the athletic ability for those guys to make a huge difference in our offense and create mismatches for the opposing teams." 

Returnees

Wide Receiver/ Tight End	Ht	Wt	Cl	2021 Stats
Zion Bowens	6-1	185	Sr.	12 Rec, 257 yds, 1 TD
Caleb Phillips (TE)	6-5	230	Sr.	17 Rec, 89 yds, 2 TDs
Kamuela Borden (TE)	6-4	250	Sr.	12 GP
James Phillips	5-9	160	Sr.	4 Rec, 32 yds
Dior Scott	5-9	175	Sr.	2 Rec, 35 yds; Redshrited
Grey Ihu	6-0	175	Sr.	3 GP
Steven Fiso (TE)	6-2	200	Sr.	2 Rec, 51 yds, 2 TDs
Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala	5-10	180	Jr.	9 GP; Special Teams
Jonah Panoke	6-2	190	Jr.	11 Rec, 126 yds
Koali Nishigaya	5-7	160	So.	3 Rec, 24 yds, 1 TDs
Karsyn Pupunu	6-3	205	So.	Scout Team
Landon Sims (TE)	6-2	205	R-Fr.	1 GP, Redshirted
Jalen Walthall	6-1	170	R-Fr.	Redshirted

2021 Lost Receivers/Tight Ends: Aaron Cephus, Tru Edwards, James Green III, Nick Mardner, Jared Smart, Calvin Turner Jr.

Newcomers
 

Wide Receiver/ Tight End	Ht	Wt	Cl	Hometown (Last School)
Jordan Murray (TE)	6-5	240	Sr.	Lee's Summitt, Mo. (Missouri State)
Greyson Morgan (TE)	6-3	225	So.	Kingsville, Texas (Trinity Valley CC)
Isaiah Shizuru	6-1	180	So.	Kaneohe, O'ahu (Kamehameha Schools)
Pofele Ashlock	6-2	170	Fr.	Euless, Texas (Trinity HS)
Chuuky Hines	6-1	175	Fr.	Houston, Texas (Westfield HS)
Chad Owens Jr.	5-9	175	Fr.	Honolulu, O'ahu (Moanalua HS)
Alex Perry	6-5	175	Fr.	Port Charlotte, Fla. (Port Charlotte HS)
Devon Tauaefa	6-4	200	Fr.	Honolulu, O'ahu (Saint Louis HS)

Zoom Zoom Zion: When you're talking straight away speed, no one puts on the jets like Zion Bowens. In his first two seasons at UH he has averaged 23.6 yards per catch. Among them was a 93-yard touchdown in last year's home finale versus Colorado State, the second-longest reception in school history. 

"He's dynamic and if he makes a guy miss it's gonna be hard to keep up with him," Ursua noted. "But what I like the most is the leadership he brings to the group. He's one of the guys that has been here for a while and is very embodied in the culture."
 
Athleticism Outside: Aside from Bowens, a pair of other UH returnees provide athleticism out wide. Jonah Panoke, who has been at the forefront of the "Braddahhood" movement, enters his fourth year in the program. Jalen Walthall redshirted last year as a true freshman. 

"Jonah is a different brand of receiver," Ursua said. "He's a strong-handed kid with a heavier frame who can lean on you a little bit. Jalen is a triple jump champ from Texas, so you do the math. When the ball goes in the air, you better be able to spring because he's got bunnies. I'm excited about what each of them bring"

Great Scott: After an abbreviated 2021, that led to a redshirt season, former "Last Chance U" star Dior Scott is looking to make his mark this season with an expanded role in the offense. 

"Dior is my jack of all trades, he can do everything." Ursua said. "He can line up on the inside, but he'll take some reps on the outside as well and do a lot of things for us. The thing I love about him is what we call catch courage. He's got it."

Inside Job: Another pair of experienced players are looking to make. Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala has been a special teams Warrior in his first two years and opened eyes with a pair of explosive touchdowns in the spring game. Meanwhile speedster James Phillips is the veteran of the bunch, seeing time on the field in each of the last three seasons. "These guys are savvy and have quickness that's hard to match. They've done a great job in camp so far." 

A Tall Order: A trio of young, long, athletic newcomers have made their way to Manoa. Pofele Ashlock (6-2), Chuuky Hines (6-1)  and Alex Perry (6-5) have impressed despite being just months out of high school.  

"They all have long frames," Ursua said. "Chuuky can run. He's ferocious and has a fierce personality on and off the field. Alex is a major basketball player who we feel has all the skills to develop into an outside perimeter receiver. And Pofele's is one of those guys who's rangy, very athletic, and has great change of direction. All three of them could potentially see time this year."

Both Ashlock and Hines were reared in Texas, but each has Polynesian roots. Ashlock is Tongan, as reflected by his first name Pofele. Meanwhile Hines's mother is from Hawaii and is of Micronesian and Hawaiian descent. His first name Chuuky translates to "mountain" in the Micronesian language of Chuukese.
 
Tight End Depth: The Warriors have a number of options at tight end. Graduate transfer Caleb Phillips is back after starting nearly every game for UH at tight end last year. An asset in both the run and pass game, Phillips scored twice last year, including a key fourth-quarter  touchdown in UH's upset of Fresno State. "He brings so much leadership and experience to the room," Sheffield added.

A player to watch out for is newcomer Jordan Murray. At 6-5, 240 pounds, the Missouri State transfer should be a handful for UH opponents after earning all-conference and freshman All-American honors for the Bears. "He's a difference maker, Sheffield says. "He's really exceeded expectations so far. There's still work to do, but he's got a different mentality about him and it's set up for him to have a really good season."

Former lineman Kamuela Borden is the most ferocious blocker of the group but is also a more-than-capable pass catcher. Junior college transfer and converted golfer Greyson Morgan has played just three years of football but has displayed a big upside with his athleticism.  

The Legacy Continues: Chad Owens and Travis Sims are a pair of record-breaking all-time greats at UH. Decades later their the next generation look to carry the family name. Chad Owen's Jr. joined the team this spring as a quarterback and now looks to develop as a receiver and kick returner, ala the elder Owens. Landon Sims enters his redshrit freshman year battling for time at the tight end position. Both Owens (No. 2) and Sims (No. 30) are donning their fathers' jersey numbers. 
 
Coach's Note: Ursua, a native of Kailua-Kona, returns to his home state after spending the better part of a decade as a player and coach in Utah at Big Sky schools Southern Utah and Weber State. During that time he not only honed his skills as a coach and recruiter but also served as a mentor for his younger brother, former UH all-conference receiver and NFL draft pick John Ursua. 

"Coming back home has been everything," Ursua said. "There is a high expectation in this community and there is a starving fan base wanting great football. It's such a driving force and we're working hard."