Part 1 - Quarterbacks
Part 2 - Running Backs
Part 3- Wide Receivers
Part 4 - Offensive Line
For the second straight year, UH must replace three starters from its defensive line. End
David Veikune and tackle
Joshua Leonard are off to the NFL, while team tri-captain and emotional leader
Keala Watson completed his eligibility. To rebuild the defensive line this season, defensive line coach Dave Aranda is taking a fairly young unit and stressing basics and fundamentals.
“It's going to be a slow process and it's going to take the full length of camp,” Aranda said. “We're taking good steps. We just have young guys that haven't really seen playing time before. Anytime you have that, whether you're drilling a certain technique or showing a technique on the board, the only way to truly learn is to practice it."
John Fonoti, the unit's lone returning starter and team's leading returning tackler, is back at right end. The senior was a force last year after finishing with 62 tackles, including 9.5 tackles-for-loss. The Honolulu native also scored one of UH's two defensive touchdowns last year on a fumble return versus Nevada.
“The sky is the limit with John,” Aranda said. “He has a ton of natural ability. You can argue that he's one of the best players on defense period. With John, it's just consistently doing his job in-and-out and just staying in the lines.”
The loss of Veikune, a two-time all-WAC player and second-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, is big one. Junior
Elliott Purcell is a top contender to fill the open position, while seniors
Cameron Allen-Jones and
Victor Clore will be vying for extended playing time. In effort to bring more speed to the line, the Warriors moved freshman
Paipai Falemalu from linebacker. Falemalu, one of the most heralded recruits of the 2008, class redshirted last year.
The inside tackle positions are topped by
Vaughn Meatoga,
Tuika Tufaga and
Rocky Savaiigaea. Meatoga started two games as a redshirt freshman last year, Tufaga saw significant action in 2008 and Savaiigaea looks to have a healthy 2009 after battling injury.
“Our defense is centered around a five-man zone dog pass rush,” Miranda said. “I look back on the success we had last year on defense and when we did have success it was with a four-man pass rush, so we want to repeat that again. I've been seeing Tufaga step up, I'm seeing good things from Rocky. He hasn't played in a long time but he's making steady improvements."
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