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FB Micah Alejado vs. Cal

Football

Fall Camp Opens New Chapter for Rainbow Warriors

HONOLULU — A celebration to end 2025 only fueled anticipation for 2026.
 
Even as the euphoria of the University of Hawai'i football team's Christmas Eve miracle lingered into the new year, the opportunity to build upon a breakthrough season soon beckoned the Rainbow Warriors throughout spring workouts and sustained them through the heat of summer conditioning.
 
Close to seven months removed from Nick Cenacle's game-winning touchdown reception in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl and just over one month away from kickoff in Palo Alto, Calif., this week's opening of fall camp on the Mānoa campus signals the next eagerly awaited phase in the ramp-up to Timmy Chang's fifth season as UH head coach.
 
The Rainbow Warriors reported for preseason camp on Tuesday, with the opening practice set for Wednesday and their attention now squarely on the Aug. 29 season opener at Stanford, as they continue the process of blending a core of dynamic returnees with a group of newcomers that includes 16 FBS transfers.
 
FB Timmy Chang vs. Cal
Timmy Chang enters his fifth season on the UH sideline
as Rainbow Warriors head coach. 

 "We celebrated what we accomplished last season, but that chapter is officially closed," Chang said. "It's a new team, and you have to have goals. Our team has some lofty goals, and the standards are high."
 
The Warriors enter camp aiming to maintain the trajectory of a 9-4 campaign capped by the dramatic comeback win over California in the program's first bowl appearance since 2020. The Warriors posted the program's highest win total since 2019 and remained in contention for a spot in the Mountain West championship game deep into the season.
 
The new season begins with a rematch of last season's Week 0 comeback victory over Stanford, this time in Northern California, followed by an early-season Mountain West showdown with UNLV at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.
 
A road trip to face a Power 4 conference opponent and a home opener sure to carry significant weight in the conference race place a premium on maximizing the Warriors' available practice time. To that end, strength and conditioning coach Bobby Thomas designed an offseason program to prepare the Warriors for the rigors of camp.
 
The bonding of "the Braddahhood" extended beyond grueling workout sessions in a summer schedule that included a mini-golf outing and a meet-and-greet with fans to highlight the weekend leading into the start of full practices.
 
"Culture builds trust, and chemistry isn't just formed in the weight room," Chang said. "Coach Thomas did an unbelievable job getting our guys physically ready for camp, but seeing them bond off the field and connect with our island community is what truly builds the Braddahhood for the grind ahead."

Much of the excitement for the 2026 season is centered on the return of quarterback Micah Alejado. The sophomore enters his second year behind center with the distinction of Mountain West Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Alejado overcame an ankle injury to lead a gritty rally against Stanford in the 2025 opener and continued to play through the injury on his way to throwing for 3,106 yards and 24 touchdowns, earning MW Freshman of the Year honors.

 
FB Elijah Palmer return vs. SDSU
Nickleback Elijah Palmer enters his senior season
as a Preseason All-Mountain West selection.
The receiving corps returns Hawai'i Bowl MVP receiver Pofele Ashlock, and the Warriors restocked the depth chart via the transfer portal with five receivers coming in from Power 4 programs. The offensive line returns two starters in tackle Dean Briski and center Ethan Spencer. Running back Cam Barfield tied for second on the team with eight touchdowns last season — four rushing, three receiving, and one on a kickoff return.
 
Dennis Thurman returns for his third season as defensive coordinator with leadership at all three levels. Defensive end Lesterlaisene Lagafuaina ranked third on the team with eight tackles for loss last season, and the linebacker unit welcomes Jamih Otis and Wynden Ho'ohuli back into the "Lions Den." Elijah Palmer provides a veteran presence in the secondary, which received a boost with the return of cornerback Caleb "C-Bo" Brown after a year at Virginia Tech.
 
Special teams will have a new look with All-America kicker Kansei Matsuzawa now in training camp with the Las Vegas Raiders. Sean Olvera-Harle, who handled kickoff duties for much of last season, will be among the contenders for leading roles in the kicking game.


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Players Mentioned

Micah Alejado

#12 Micah Alejado

QB
5' 10"
Redshirt Freshman
Pofele Ashlock

#5 Pofele Ashlock

WR
6' 2"
Junior
Cam Barfield

#0 Cam Barfield

RB
5' 7"
Junior
Dean Briski

#52 Dean Briski

OL
6' 5"
Junior
Nick Cenacle

#3 Nick Cenacle

WR
6' 2"
Senior
Wynden Ho

#12 Wynden Ho'ohuli

LB
6' 3"
Senior
Lesterlaisene Lagafuaina

#51 Lesterlaisene Lagafuaina

DL
6' 4"
Sophomore
Kansei Matsuzawa

#17 Kansei Matsuzawa

PK
6' 2"
Senior
Jamih Otis

#11 Jamih Otis

LB
5' 11"
Junior
Elijah Palmer

#4 Elijah Palmer

DB
5' 8"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Micah Alejado

#12 Micah Alejado

5' 10"
Redshirt Freshman
QB
Pofele Ashlock

#5 Pofele Ashlock

6' 2"
Junior
WR
Cam Barfield

#0 Cam Barfield

5' 7"
Junior
RB
Dean Briski

#52 Dean Briski

6' 5"
Junior
OL
Nick Cenacle

#3 Nick Cenacle

6' 2"
Senior
WR
Wynden Ho

#12 Wynden Ho'ohuli

6' 3"
Senior
LB
Lesterlaisene Lagafuaina

#51 Lesterlaisene Lagafuaina

6' 4"
Sophomore
DL
Kansei Matsuzawa

#17 Kansei Matsuzawa

6' 2"
Senior
PK
Jamih Otis

#11 Jamih Otis

5' 11"
Junior
LB
Elijah Palmer

#4 Elijah Palmer

5' 8"
Junior
DB