Off-season notes

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As the college football season winds down with the college football playoffs entering the semi-final games, the transfer portal is still hopping with movement. The portal window has closed on December 28th, but there is a five day window for players to enter after their bowl or playoff game and another 30 day window if their head coach leaves their school. Most players are trying to find their next home before the start of the semester which happens in the next week or so for schools on the semester system.

With the recent ruling in the Diego Pavia case and the recent NCAA memo that grants one additional year of eligibility to Division I players that played at least a season in junior college and exhausted their NCAA eligibility in the 2024-25 season many players have the option of returning to college. From the 2024 UH seniors  C-Bo Brown, Justin Sinclair, Daniel “Sauce” Williams, Noah Kema and Logan Taylor are eligible for this extra year. Only C-Bo Brown has declared he will use the year and is headed back to Manoa. 

With players coming and going on a daily basis here is where we see the Bows netting out by position as of January 5th.

Quarterbacks:

Brayden Schager, Jake Farrell and John Keawe Sagapolutele are three subtractions to the position group, two through graduation and the other to the transfer portal. The most significant gain was not losing Micah Alejado who is the future of the program and gave us a glimpse of the future in his coming out party against New Mexico. Entering the quarterback room is JJ Nielsen who will be an early enrollee from high school and Luke Weaver a JC All-American from Modesto Junior College. Walk-on Caleb Freeman also gives the group some depth as he returns for another year.

Running Backs:

The departures of Tylan Hines and Derek Boyd II through the transfer portal along with the graduation of Kamalu DeBlake have depleted some of the depth in the position group. However, there is ample time to add recruits and there is a solid group of returnees with game experience. Landon Sims who got the majority of the snaps in 2024 returns along with Cam Barfield, David Cordero, Christian Vaughn, Sitani Mikaele and Tryton Keli’ikipi. Barfield started to pick up snaps as the season progressed and Christian Vaughn is an intriguing power back that showed flashes of what he could provide in spot duty.

Wide Receiver / Tight Ends:

In the Run n Shoot offense this group is always one of the largest on the team with many four and five wideout sets. Jeremiah White and Travion Williams did not see any action this year but have since moved on to other opportunities along with Koali Nishigaya. Senior night saw us say Aloha to Jonah Panoke, Spencer Curtis, Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala and Steven McBride while the transfer portal saw Alex Perry, Armando Lewis, Maclane Watkins, Dekel Crowdus and Nick Cenacle enter their names into the database. Cenacle quickly reneged on his portal entry and is back with the team along with returnees Oakie Salavea, Devon Tauaefa, Chad Owens Jr, Matthew Bailiff, Karsyn Pupunu, Pofele Ashlock, Nick Delgadillo, Dino Heimuli, Arlito Capanang Jr, Josiah Fetui, Tama Uiliata and Blaze Kamoku. Karsyn Pupunu was put on scholarship for the upcoming season after breaking into the receiver rotation along with being a key piece in many special teams units. Joining the returnees are portal additions Brandon White (Kentucky) and Jackson Harris (Stanford). The Bows also secured commitments from Kaikai Carvalho, Titan Lacadan and 2023 greyshirt Frank Abreu. Brandon Gaea, a high school signee from Mililani is expected to greyshirt and join the team in 2026.

Offensive Line:

Starting with the subtractions, we saw Maurice Ta’ala and Luke Felix-Fualalo graduate from the program along with Ismail Ganley and Kaena DeCambra entering the transfer portal. Three high school signees, Jordan Kernaghan, Uluaki Taukiuvea and KJ Hallums (plans to greyshirt) add back some depth to the room. Returning to coach Derek Faavi’s group are key returnees Kuao Peihopa, Zhen Sotelo, Ethan Spencer, James Milovale and Sergio Muasau. Other players looking to push for playing time are Tui Muti, Christian Perry, Jay Tauala-Harris, Boogie Henderson, Lautaimi Manuma, Isaac Maugaleoo, Micah Mariteragi, KT Carter, Dean Briski and Judah Kaio.

Defensive Line:

Defensive line was the hardest hit position group in the off season with Dion Washington, Ezra Evaimalo, Patrick Hisatake and Malachi Finau entering the transfer portal. Coupled with the graduation of Sauce Williams, Elijah Robinson and Anthony Sagapolutele there is a lot of playing time up for grabs in 2025. The lone recruit to date is Falelua Moalele, a product of American Samoa via Liberty High School in Las Vegas. A lot will be expected from Tariq Jones, Wynden Ho’ohuli, Jackie Johnson III and Jamar Sekona who are the only returning players with significant game time experience. Jackie Johnson was elevated to a scholarship player in the off season after recording a team high five sacks during the season. Lesterleisene Lagafuiaina showed glimpses of his potential on the edge and young players Alvin Puefua, Jordan Crawford, Zorem Petelo and Aiden McComber are expected to fill larger roles in 2025. Rounding out the group is Tristan Waiamau-Galindo, Micah Kaonohi-Kaihenui, Noah Wily, Josh Sagapolutele, Ha’aheo Dela Cruz, Tevita Loketi, Nazaiah Caravallo, Vaifanua Peko and Jeremiah Wright.

Linebackers:

The linebacker room affectionately known as the Lion’s Den under coach Chris Brown lost Nalu Emerson, Noah Kema and Logan Taylor to graduation. They add 2024 greyshirt recruit Matteus Ioane and 2025 local signees Zaden Mariteragi and Aisiah Paogofie to the room. They also welcome back Jalen Smith, Jamih Otis, Junior Fiaui, Alika Cavaco-Amoy, Kolo Kaululaau, Noa Keohuloa and Tasi Tadio.

Defensive Backs:

Dropping off the 2024 roster are Cam Bell and Jojo Forest who left the team during the year. Cam Stone declared for the NFL draft, Mike Pei and Kimo Holo Holt-Mossman graduated, Justin Sinclair is debating a possible return due to the recent NCAA rulings regarding JC athletes and Brandon Shah entered the transfer portal. C-Bo Brown who walked on senior night has already declared he’s coming back to use his recently granted eligibility for junior college athletes. Virdel Edwards II missed all of 2024 and is hoping to get back into game form for his final season. Key pieces, Peter Manuma, Elijah Palmer, Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen and Matagi Thompson return in 2025. Other returning letter winners are Kona Moore, Jaheim Wilson-Jones, Fabian Ross, Ezekiel Rodrigues, Deliyon Freeman, Makana Meyer, Kea Rodrigues, Israel Solomon, Riis Weber and Kellen Robins-Beers. Four JC signees join the mix with Julian “Juju” Smith, Elijah Gipson, TJ Jones and Zavier Fairley slated to add depth and competition at all positions.

Specialists:

Lucas Borrow and Ben Falck completed their eligibility at the conclusion of Senior Night and Hunter Higham and Solomon Landrum, two long snappers on the roster entered their names into the transfer portal. That left LS Nick Pang, kickers Kansei Matsuzawa and Kai Kluth as the remaining specialists. Kansei Matsuzawa was awarded a scholarship after winning the kicking job just a couple of years after teaching himself how to kick from youtube videos. Two portal additions from TCU have added back depth to the position group with Jax Thompson a long snapper and Caleb Sempebwa a kicker joining the “Ride or Die” group. 

As the 2024 football season comes to a close this week with the final home game against the New Mexico Lobos, we say Aloha to 23 seniors who will be celebrated and draped in leis at the conclusion of Saturday’s contest. With bowl game aspirations out the window, these seniors will have one last chance to make memories on the field and hopefully ride off into the Manoa mist with one last victory.

The graduations are heavy on the defensive side of the ball as starting cornerbacks Cam Stone and C-Bo Brown depart along with heavy contributors, Daniel “Sauce” Williams, Meki Pei, Logan Taylor, Elijah Robinson, Nalu Emerson and Anthony Sagapolutele. On the offensive side of the ball QB1 Brayden Schager is a big loss and has been a mainstay for the past four years along with Luke Felix-Fualalo and Maurice Ta’ala on the line. Jonah Panoke, the elder statesman on the team, finally sees his eligibility expire. Lucas Borrow and Ben Falck also graduate leaving holes at the punter and kickoff specialist position. Borrow in particular has been a very effective player this year in limited return yards and pinning teams deep in their own territory with highly accurate directional punts.

What is also noteworthy are the listed seniors who are not being celebrated which implies they may be back for another year. Karsyn Pupunu, Virdel Edwards II, Devyn King, Sergio Muasau, Ezra Evaimalo, Jamar Sekona and Micah Mariteragi are listed on the roster as seniors and would be a big boost to the roster entering UH Head Coach Timmy Chang’s fourth and final year in his current contract.

With the AD firing drama taking place during the bye week not much has been talked about the Warriors’ QB situation entering the contest. Brayden Schager’s status for the game has not been released and many fans saw a glimpse of his likely predecessor as John Keawe Sagapolutele and Micah Alejado got an extended amount of snaps in Logan, Utah. In particular fans were impressed with Micah Alejado’s command of the offense getting balls out of his hand quickly to open receivers and the lone touchdown pass to Dekel Crowdus on a blown coverage. Many fans had questions about whether his size or arm strength would be hurdles to becoming a successful Division 1 quarterback. Although it was a small sample size it seemed to answer a lot of those questions and fans are clamoring for more. It will be an interesting decision to see how Coach Chang balances playing time between the outgoing senior and the future of the program as the team heads into the off season.

New Mexico comes to town with one of the most explosive offenses in the Mountain West led by do everything QB Devon Dampier. He has passed for 2,592 yards and 12 touchdowns but also leads the team with 1,065 yards and 16 touchdowns. Entering the game the Lobos are riding a two game win streak that includes a stunning win over #18 Washington State. They currently sit at 5-6 and need one more win to become bowl eligible. Bronco Mendenhall has done his magic to quickly turnaround a Lobos program that has recently been at the bottom of the standings year after year. While the offense has put up big numbers this year the defense has also allowed big numbers They have given up an average of 483 yards per game and 54 touchdowns. Teams have run and passed the ball with equal success against the Lobos defense. When in the red zone teams are converting touchdowns at a 80% rate against the Lobos and converting 48% of their 3rd down opportunities.

It will be a matchup of Hawaii’s defensive strength against the Lobos explosive offense and Hawaii’s struggling offense against a porous defense. The game will be decided on who can exploit the other team's weakness with turnovers and special teams play always being a wild card in determining the games outcome. Let’s pack Ching and support the seniors as we say our Aloha! 

In alphabetical order:

Lucas Borrow

Caleb “C-Bo” Brown

Spencer Curtis

Kamalu DeBlake

Nalu Emerson

Ben Falck

Jake Farrell

Luke Felix-Fualalo

Kimo Holo Holt-Mossman

Noah Kema

Solomon Landrum

Steven McBride

Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala

Jonah Panoke

Meki Pei

Elijah Robinson

Anthony Sagapolutele

Brayden Schager

Justin Sinclair

Cam Stone

Maurice Ta’ala

Logan Taylor

Daniel “Sauce” Williams

While conference realignment has taken its toll on the University of Hawai’i, there are possible opportunities to get back on a national spotlight.

Currently UH is tied in to a contract from Spectrum Sports that expires July 31, 2025. In the deal UH receives around $3.1 million a year if Spectrum can broadcast at least seven home football games with Pay Per View and 60 other sporting events. UH also receives a fraction of the Mountain West TV media money if the league share is more than what Spectrum is giving.

This would be the year for negotiating any contract extension with Spectrum or seeking other TV networks that could make a better offer. Another option would be for UH to be part of the next Mountain West TV deal that expires in 2026 but will start having negotiations in 2025. Since Hawai’i is a football only member they would receive much less than a full time Mountain West school. This means UH will have to find another network to produce games for their other sports or have Spectrum do it with a new deal but with less money.

There is still an attraction for Hawai’i Football having their own time zone for an exclusive viewing window for TV networks that give the phrase “Hawai’i Test” for folks on the continent staying up late in the early AM to watch the Rainbow Warriors play at home.

Another attraction from a different side is the sports gambling world. The “Chase game” as betters call it to make up for any losses or hoping for one more win with it being the last game of the evening. This could lead to a future partnership with a sports betting company or casinos. Circa Resort and Casino in Las Vegas  already dubbed themselves as the “Home for Hawaii Football” in the largest sportsbook venue in the world. Maybe UH can soon cash in on these opportunities.