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. 
 
UH loses nearly 80 percent of its tackle production and three key starters - Jonah Laulu, DJuan Matthews and Justus Tavai - from last year's defensive line. But despite that, the cupboard isn't entirely bare. 

The Warriors return stalwart defensive tackle Blessman Ta'ala for his fifth season and a number of rotation players hungry for a more starring role. UH also received an infusion of Power 5 talent via the transfer portal. 

"I think we got the right guys to do what we need to do," defensive line coach Eti Ena said.

And what does the defensive line aim to do? To do all the dirty work and be a disruptive  force, all the while making life easier for the Warriors linebackers and defensive backs. 

"The mentality is to  attack whatever comes their way and defeat it," Ena said. "It's kind of a mentality we have to have up front. Basically we gotta destroy the run blocking scheme and also  affect the quarterback in multiple ways, whether it's to cover up the windows or make him uncomfortable."


Returnees
 

Defensive Line	Ht	Wt	Cl	2020 Stats
Fo'i Shaw	5-11	275	Sr.	27 tkls, 3.5 TFL
Blessman Ta'ala	6-1	305	Sr.	12 GP, 1 tkl
John Tuitupou	6-4	300	Sr.	4 tkls, 1 blkd
Kolby Wyatt	6-4	235	Sr.	4 GP
Andrew Choi	6-1	250	Sr.	Scout Team
Zach Ritner	6-3	245	Sr.	Scout Team
Ezra Evaimalo	6-2	240	So.	4 GP, 2 tkls
Tariq Jones	6-2	240	R-Fr.	2 GP

                              
                      
    

    
    
   

  
 
 2021 DLs lost: O'tay Baker, Alema Kapoi, Jonah Laulu, DJuan Matthews, Zacchaeus McKinney, Justus Tavai, Derek Thomas, Pita Tonga

Newcomers
 

Defensive Line	Ht	Wt	Cl	Hometown (Last School)
Jojo Falo	6-2	265	Sr.	San Diego, Calif. (Cal Poly)
Andrew Faoliu	6-3	265	Sr.	Santa Ana, Calif. (Oregon)
Etuate Moala	6-3	290	Jr.	Riverside, Calif. (Riverside City College)
Anthony Sagapolutele	5-11	270	So.	Honolulu, O'ahu (UNLV)
Wynden Ho'ohuli	6-3	240	R-Fr.	Kapolei, O'ahu (Nebraska)
Dean Briski	6-5	255	Fr.	Pago Pago, American Samoa (Samoana HS)
Malachi Finau	6-2	275	Fr.	Los Angeles, Calif. (St. John Bosco HS)
Tali Moe	6-3	275	Fr.	Kalaheo, Kaua'i (Waimea HS)
Sonny Semeatu	6-0	265	Fr.	Tafuna, American Samoa (Mililani HS)

 






 Iron Man:  Blessman Ta'ala has not missed a single game in four seasons as a Rainbow Warrior. Named all-Mountain West honorable mention in back-to-back seasons, he has played in 51 straight game, starting 38 of them at nose tackle. Ena says of the veteran: "He's definitely the godfather of the bunch. He has street cred having played a lot of football and has grown-man strength too. He's one of those guys that's gonna lead by his actions and I expect him to be a big factor in our defensive success this fall."

Impact Transfers: Mataio Soli brings an impressive frame (6-4, 230) and SEC pedigree to the Rainbow Warriors. The former four-star recruit appeared in 33 career games over three seasons at the University of Arkansas. Now he's looking to make an impact for the Warriors at end.  "He's a really dynamic athlete," Ena said. "He's strong, fits the edge, and can really rush the QB. He wants to earn it and that's what I really like about him. He has the ability to be special."

Another transfer to watch out for is former Oregon Duck Andrew Faoliu. Ena said: "He's a powerful guy as well as a smart football player. He plays the run really well, but also can transition into a pass rush and close the edge really quick and real fast."

Welcome Home: A pair of local boys have returned to the island after playing one season on the mainland. Wynden Ho'ohuli, the top-rated high school player out of Hawaii in 2021, is competing for time at the Dog position after redshirting last season at Nebraska. Former Saint Louis standout Anthony Sagapolutele suited up for UNLV last season and has now returned home where he;s in the mix for time at tackle.

Heart and Soul: Jonah Kahahawai-Welch has emerged as a leader on the team. He's revived the pregame ha'a ritual for Warrior football, and is the program's nominee for Wuerffel Trophy, awarded nationally to the player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.  After being the victim of the injury bug in the previous four seasons, the senior is healthy and looking to earn a starting spot on the edge. "Jonah has had a really good spring and offseason. He's got a good understanding of what his role is and along with Blessman is definitely one of our leaders."

Back On D Again: Two years ago, Kolby Wyatt transferred to Hawai'i from Georgia as a tight end. This spring he moved to the defensive end. But the position is not entirely new to him. He actually began his career at Georgia on the defensive line. Ena said: "He's still adjusting, but I see him growing and improving because he's so diligent and detailed."

Others To Watch: Ena expects big things at tackle from veteran John "JT" Tuitupou who enters his third season as a Warrior. Ezra Evaimalo, Etuate Moala and Sonny Semeatu help fortify the interior.  Meanwhile Andrew Choi could push for playing time at end. "He's the steady Eddie," Ena said. "You can count on him to be in the right spots and his pass rush is coming to life."
 
Coach's Note: Ena has spent the majority of his life in the Pacific Northwest, but Hawai'i has always been in his heart, having been born on Oahu's North Shore.  "I have pictures of when I was little wearing UH gear," Ena said. "and I always felt I represented Hawai'i being from here. When I was coaching at the University of Idaho and we were in the WAC we would come to Aloha Stadium. I remember looking on the other side of the field and thinking, hopefully someday I can be coaching  at this place. The timing has worked out and I'm just fortunate and blessed to be here."