Throughout the course of fall camp, HawaiiAthletics.com will provide an in-depth breakdown of the 2015 Rainbow Warrior football team, position-by-position, leading up to the first week of regular-practices in preparation for UH's season opener against against Colorado on Sept. 3.
Outside Receivers |  Inside Receivers and Tight Ends | Cornerbacks | Safeties | Special Teams: Kickers, Returners and Snappers | Quarterbacks

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HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior football team knocked out its first two-a-day practice of fall camp on Saturday at Clarence T.C. Ching Field, donning shells in the morning with a full practice, while focusing on special teams in helmets and shorts during the afternoon session.

The long days of fall camp can sometimes be tough on football's biggest guys, but even after an extensive scrimmage on Friday, Lance Samuseva's defensive line unit didn't miss a step in the 10th and 11th practices of the fall.

The unit has the toughest replacement task in 2015, replacing three starters—Moses Samia, Beau Yap and Marcus Malepeai—with the trio combining for 102 tackles, including 15 for loss and 7.5 sacks. However, what the Rainbow Warriors' defensive front line lacks in experience, the unit brings talent into play and a thirst for growth.

"As a unit, they're doing a good job of understanding that we're a family. That's what it's all about—not the individual, but all about the team," Samuseva said. "They've taken big steps forward this offseason, doing individual workouts by themselves, and they made up their minds that they wanted to be a good defensive line and they're taking the right steps toward accomplishing that."

 

Headlining the unit's returners is junior defensive end Kennedy Tulimasealii (6-1, 285, Wai'anae, O'ahu), who made eight starts in 13 appearances a year ago, registering 40 tackles, including a team-leading 9.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. In addition, Tulimasealii played in nine games of his rookie season as well.

"I feel like I've grown a lot," Tulimasealii said. "To see how far I've come and with all the young guys coming up, I'm still learning every day from other players and the coaches. I still don't know what my full potential is, but I try to envision it and keep working toward the next goal."

Anchoring the middle of first-year defensive coordinator Tom Mason's 3-4 scheme throughout the spring and into the fall has been sophomore Penitito "Kiko" Faalologo (5-11, 300, Pago Pago, American Samoa), the backup in the middle to Samia last year. Penciled in atop the depth chart since the spring at nose tackle, Faalologo has progressed quickly and is putting himself in position to start against Colorado on Sept. 3, but the competition will be ongoing.

"He's just been playing good football from day one of camp," Samuseva noted. "As far as starters, that's between the guys. I tell them that I don't make the depth chart, they make the depth chart. I just watch the film and the guy that's proving it that week in practice is the guy that's going to be in there."

 

One player who has been proving it since the spring is slated as the opposite defensive end, senior Luke Shawley (6-3, 250, Charlotte, N.C.). Backing up the end position last season, Shawley appeared in all 13 games, recording 35 tackles, leading the team with nine quarterback hurries.

With so many spots up for grabs, everyone on the defensive line is earning his own way. Included in that group is junior Kory Rasmussen (6-2, 295, 'Ewa Beach, O'ahu), a former walk-on transfer from Colorado who was awarded a scholarship after spring practices.

"We've come together and are working as one," Tulimasealii said. "We've got a solid pass rush and a good middle with Kiko and Kory, they can work both the run and the pass and push the line of scrimmage back."

 

Several young players are pushing for playing time in 2015, providing the Rainbow Warriors with notably taller and heavier line personnel than last season. Younger brother of 'Bows offensive tackle Leo Koloamatangi, sophomore Meffy Koloamatangi (6-5, 240, East Palo Alto, Calif.) is using his size to increase the pass rush on the outside. At 6-3, 240, sophomore David Manoa (San Mateo, Calif.) has excelled since making the position switch from tight end in the offseason. Meanwhile, 2014 Defensive Scout Team Award-winner Ka'aumoana Gifford (6-4, 275, Wai'anae, O'ahu) uses his extreme athleticism and size for a quick step on the outside.

"We have a very hungry set of guys," Shawley noted. "Everyone out there wants to learn, wants to get better. It's been evident since spring—you see huge leaps and bounds in the quality and competency of our D-line—and you're going to continue to see that."

 

The offseason effort of the unit has paid dividends early in fall camp, as the well-conditioned unit came together to practice technique over the summer and is making the most of every opportunity to learn—Shawley and many others may have drawn peculiar looks, frequently seen using walking obstacles, including sign posts and wall corners, as an opportunity for a swim move or a quick sidestep.

"For football, because it's such a fast and explosive sport, it all comes back to muscle memory," Shawley said. "That repetition is the way to get that muscle memory, so you'll see all of us out here practicing together and trying to build that, even walking around and doing swim moves and flipping our hips."

Several new faces are getting into the mix as well, with junior military veteran Jeremy McClam (5-11, 285, Apex, N.C.) and freshman Samiuela Akoteu (6-2, 320, Inglewood, Calif.) pushing for time in the middle, while freshman Zeno Choi's (6-3, 260, Honolulu, O'ahu) athleticism and quick playbook learning has been touted by older teammates at end. Both coming off redshirts, freshmen Jamie Tago (6-2, 250, Pago, Pago, American Samoa) and converted linebacker Marquis Fairchild (6-3, 235, North Lauderdale, Fla.) are fighting for reps on the outside.

"They want to understand the game of football and learn everything that they can," Samuseva said. "Especially when you have young guys that you may not expect to get the playbook right away, and these guys do. It's satisfying to see them really understanding the defense and executing in practice."

The Rainbow Warriors are off the clock on Sunday after working through their second week of camp, but will get back to the grind on Monday with a 12:50 p.m. practice to open their final week before beginning regular season practices.