2016 Hawai'i Football Fall Camp
Day 1: Into The Fire: Football Opens 2016 Camp With Strong First Day
Day 2: Football Building The Team Behind The Team
Day 3: Shells On And It's Sweet Home Hawai'i For Football Staff
Day 4: Summer Dedication Paying Off As Football Camp Rolls Into Day Four
 

---

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors football team was back on the grind Friday morning at Cooke Practice Field for the fifth day of action, working in shells for the last time during opening week under first-year head coach Nick Rolovich.

One unit that has drawn praise throughout the early days of camp is the offensive line. As the old adage goes, it 'starts up front.' One of the most experienced returning units, the big guys return a combined 73 starts. Topped by junior Dejon Allen, who transitioned from guard to left tackle this spring, the line returns four starters from a year ago. Only all-conference tackle Ben Clarke departed due to graduation. The unit is led by former All-American Chris Naeole, who carried his first-round draft selection into a 12-year NFL career for the Saints and Jaguars. He is in his fourth season coaching offensive line at UH and served as interim head coach for four games last season.

"We're right where we should be," Allen said of the current line. "We've got a lot of stuff to work on and our main emphasis right now is to stay focused and do what we have to do to get the job done."

Expecting really big things from the #HawaiiFB BIG men up front in 2016 #LiveAlohaPlayWarrior pic.twitter.com/rrj8iDLBOb — Hawaii Football (@HawaiiFootball) August 6, 2016

Last season depth ran a little shallow, with many incoming linemen taking redshirts and a core group of experienced linemen returning. This season, UH will open the first day of school with 15 linemen available, along with UCLA-transfer Fred Ulu-Perry, who must sit out this season due to NCAA rules. Among the group, 12 linemen return from last season, providing the opportunity for rotation and greater rest for the starting crew.


"It's like night and day," tackle RJ Hollis said. "I feel refreshed when I'm ready to go back in for another series, versus playing six, taking two off. Four on, four off is much easier to work with. It helps us out to avoid medical issues and keeps everybody healthy for the season."
 
A junior, Hollis started all 13 games a year ago at right tackle and is one of the vocal, energetic leaders for the team—not to mention dance skills. Hollis proved he had the moves in leading a dance-off with the soccer squad and served as the frontman in the 'Uptown Funk' video showed on the Aloha Stadium video board. He also picked up a nomination for SBNation's Piesman Trophy for his catch, and shuffle, on the sideline during the victory over Colorado. A fun guy without question, Hollis has also been lauded for his approach to competition this fall after a strong inaugural starting season in 2015.

At the opposite tackle, Allen made every start at guard in 2015 and has the most returning starts on the team at 24 consecutive games. He served as a centerpiece for a UH running game that notched its first 1,000-yard rusher since 2010. Allen tied as a team leader on the line, grading out at 89 percent with 52 knockdowns and only one sack allowed. Also seeing time on the outside are redshirted players junior Matt Norman and freshman Austin Webb. Senior Leo Koloamatangi also has significant experience at tackle.

At center, UH returns sophomore Asotui Eli, who was one of only two freshmen O-linemen in the Mountain West to start 12 games. He's earned bids on the watch lists for the Rimington Trophy and the Polynesian College Player of the Year Award. He graded out third-best on the team at 82 percent behind Clarke and Allen. However, with the rise of two-year backup John Wa'a at center recently, he could see a transition to guard. The effect on this for his chance at individual  honors are of no concern.

"Whatever the team needs," Eli noted. "If I've got to play guard and don't have a chance to win (an individual) award, I don't care. Right now I'm focused on this team."

Flanking Eli on the left has been Koloamatangi, who saw action in most games over the past three seasons, including four starts a year ago in the jumbo package. Elijah Tupai will return after 11 starts last season at guard, sitting out spring practices with an injury. Wa'a and redshirted freshman JR Hensley have been making the rounds at guard as well. In addition, sophomore Eperone Moananu comes back to the offensive side of the ball at guard after debuting as a rookie in a need-based move to the defensive line.

The unit is also bolstered by a number of newcomers including a pair of freshman in tackle Kingjames Taylor and guard Josh Hauani'o. A graduate transfer from Alabama, Chris Posa will join the Warriors' line this weekend, while returners Luke Clements and Arona Amosa are slated to appear on the roster on the first day of classes.

"We've got a lot of young talent coming up here," Eli said. "We've got a lot of size and we've just got to keep working hard."

There are plenty of personnel options to spread the reps around and spell starters as well. The average weight of linemen has increased from 286 pounds two years ago to just over 300 this season. Meanwhile, the average height in that span has grown from just over 6-3 to just above 6-4.

"We've got all the talent that we need, players have got to memorize the plays and do their jobs," Eli said. "Nothing is guaranteed. Everybody has to work hard every day or you could lose your spot any day. You've got to come ready to work every snap."

With the influx of quality personnel, every day is a battle—and a battle is what will be expected from them to be the cornerstone of offensive improvement this season.

"Those guys have put in a lot of work and it means a lot to them," Rolovich said. "They're a tough unit that will stick together. It doesn't really matter what you want to do offensively, if you're good up front that gives you a chance. They might end up being one of the strengths of this football team right now."

The Rainbow Warriors return to practice on Saturday morning with a start time and location changed to 7:00 a.m. on the turf field at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex. It will mark the last practice of the week, first of camp on turf and the first day of full pads.