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2022 Position Breakdown: Offensive Line

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 home season opener versus Vanderbilt on Saturday, Aug. 27. 
 
Like numerous teams across the country, the University of Hawai'i experienced more than its share of roster turnover following the 2021 season. But one position reminded rock solid…the offensive line. It's an extremely experienced group, but also one that plays with a whole lot to prove.   

"They've really banded together as brothers," offensive line coach Roman Sapolu said. "Nobody left. These guys really hang their hat on having stayed and they want to do something special. They've been working toward  that during the offseason and camp and all the hard work is coming to fruition."

There's no doubt UH's success will rely heavily on the group of hungry, veteran players up front. 

"We'll need to be the heartbeat of the offense," Sapolu said. "As our room goes, so goes the offense. I love their mindset and their ability to put this team on their back. They go to work every single day trying to live up to that."

Returnees
 
Offensive Line  Ht   Wt  Cl   2021 Stats
 Austin Hopp  6-6  310  Sr.  13 GP
 Micah Vanterpool  6-6  315  Sr.  11 starts
 Stephan Bernal-Wendt  6-1  325  Sr.  6 GP
 Ra Elkington  6-5  345  Sr.  Scout team
 Ilm Manning  6-4  295  Sr.  13 starts
 Eliki Tanuvasa  6-2  300  Sr.  6 starts
 Solo Vaipulu  6-2  280  Sr.  8 starts
 Arasi Mose  6-5  365  Jr.  Scout Team
 Kauka Umiamaka  6-4  300  Jr.  11 GP
 Sergio Muasau  6-0  315  So.  Scout Team
 Maurice Ta'ala  6-1  320  So.  13 GP
 Ka'ena Decambra  6-4  300  R-Fr.  Scout Team
 Nate Adams  6-7  325  R-Fr.  Scout Team



                              


 
 
 
 
 
 
 




 

2021 OLs lost: Kohl Levao, Gene Pryor


Newcomers
Offensive Line  Ht   Wt  Cl  Hometown (Last School)
 Micah Mariteragi  6-4  290  Sr.  Laie, O'ahu (Virginia)
 Luke Felix-Fualalo  6-8  320  Jr.  Brisbane, Australia (Utah)
 Ethan Spencer  6-1  280  Fr.  Kailua, O'ahu (Saint Louis HS)
 Junior Ta'ase  6-4  375  Fr.  Melbourne, Australia (Aquinas HS)







Experience Counts: UH ranks third nationally in the number of combined starts among its returnees with 109 total. Ilm Manning, Solo Vaipulu and Micah Vanterpool have been around the longest and now play for their third coaching staff during their careers.

"They've been through multiple systems and I think their ability to pick each of them up and play at a high level has increased because of that," Sapolu said. "They've been through the fire and they know what the expectation is."

Center of Attention: Eliki Tanuvasa takes over full-time center duties after starting games at guard last year and serving as a backup center the previous two  seasons. The team's top scholar, Tanuvasa has the IQ, strength, and skill to help direct the UH offense. "He's another coach out there on the field which is great to have," Sapolu said. "I love his competitive nature and he bands the room together pretty well." 

Sergio Muasau and Maurice Ta'ala, who started the season-finale when UH racked up nearly 500 yards of total offense at Wyoming, are capable of sliding between center and guard. 

The Bookends: Two-time all-conference tackle Ilm Manning is back for his fifth season as a Rainbow Warrior with nearly 50 career games under his belt. "Ilm has been a staple in the Mountain West for a long long time," Sapolu said. "I've known of him before I was even here. He's a guy who is durable and a guy who makes sure he gets things done."

Austin Hopp, who was a Freshman All-American at FCS Western Illinois, is contending for a starting spot after appearing in all 13 games last year, mainly on the kicking units.  "He's a very cerebral player," Sapolu said,  "and has length, you can't teach." So does  Utah transfer Luke Felix-Fualalo who at 6-8 is the tallest of the Warriors. Saint Louis School product Ka'ena Decambra is also another candidate to break into the lineup at tackle after redshirting in 2021.

Old Guard: The versatile Micah Vanterpool is back after having started in 16 of the last 18 games, including 11 games at left guard last year. "He's another vocal leader on the team," Sapolu said. " He brings length and physicality inside at guard and has also started games at tackle. He's a guy that can do many things."

Senior Solo Vaipulu has started 40 career games for the Warriors and is joined by Stephan Bernal-Wendt, Arasi Mose, and Zhen Sotelo in the mix at guard.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie: UH has not one, but two players from Down Under on the O-Line. Luke Felix-Fualalo is a native of Brisbane and comes to Manoa via Utah where he played three seasons. Junior Ta'ase is among the most massive (6-4, 375 pounds) Warriors and will compete at guard.  Originally from Melbourne, Ta'ase moved to the U.S. prior to his sophomore season of high school and was an all-state player for Aquinas High School in San Bernardino, Calif. 

Look Out For…: Ilm Manning has been a mainstay on the UH line since he arrived on campus as a true freshman in 2018 and looks to take his game to another level. "Ilm is on a mission," Sapolu said. "He wants to make sure he reminds everyone of who he is. He's as good as anyone in the conference and he's looking to showcase those skills."

Coach's Note: Sapolu comes from UH football royalty as the son of former UH All-American center and four-time Super Bowl Champion Jesse Sapolu. His brother Landon also suited up for the Warriors. Despite being raised in California he remained loyal to Hawai'i and knows first hand about the program's rich history at the position. 

"I grew up as a UH fan," Sapolu said, "and watching all of the offensive linemen play at a high level and dominate. There's a strong tradition of offensive linemen at this university. So we have huge expectations to live up to."

 
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Players Mentioned

Ra Elkington

#68 Ra Elkington

OL
6' 5"
Senior
Kohl Levao

#72 Kohl Levao

OL
6' 6"
Redshirt Senior
Ilm Manning

#75 Ilm Manning

OL
6' 4"
Senior
Arasi Mose

#70 Arasi Mose

OL
6' 5"
Sophomore
Sergio Muasau

#66 Sergio Muasau

OL
6' 0"
Sophomore
Gene Pryor

#74 Gene Pryor

OL
6' 3"
Senior
Maurice Ta

#51 Maurice Ta'ala

OL
6' 1"
Freshman
Eliki Tanuvasa

#61 Eliki Tanuvasa

OL
6' 2"
Junior
Kauka Umiamaka

#64 Kauka Umiamaka

OL
6' 4"
Sophomore
Solo Vaipulu

#52 Solo Vaipulu

OL
6' 2"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Ra Elkington

#68 Ra Elkington

6' 5"
Senior
OL
Kohl Levao

#72 Kohl Levao

6' 6"
Redshirt Senior
OL
Ilm Manning

#75 Ilm Manning

6' 4"
Senior
OL
Arasi Mose

#70 Arasi Mose

6' 5"
Sophomore
OL
Sergio Muasau

#66 Sergio Muasau

6' 0"
Sophomore
OL
Gene Pryor

#74 Gene Pryor

6' 3"
Senior
OL
Maurice Ta

#51 Maurice Ta'ala

6' 1"
Freshman
OL
Eliki Tanuvasa

#61 Eliki Tanuvasa

6' 2"
Junior
OL
Kauka Umiamaka

#64 Kauka Umiamaka

6' 4"
Sophomore
OL
Solo Vaipulu

#52 Solo Vaipulu

6' 2"
Senior
OL