- LOCATION: Honolulu, Hawai’i (population 350,964)
- CONFERENCE: Mountain West
- 2022 RECORD: 3-10, 2-6 in Mtn. West
- HEAD COACH: Timmy Chang, 2nd season (3-10, 2-6 in Mtn. West)
- STADIUM: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex (built 2015, capacity 17,000)
2022 Results
- L, 10-63 vs Vanderbilt
- L, 17-49 vs Western Kentucky
- L, 10-56 @ Michigan
- W, 24-14 vs Duquesne
- L, 26-45 @ New Mexico State
- L, 14-16 @ San Diego State
- W, 31-16 vs Nevada
- L, 13-17 @ Colorado State
- L, 20-27 vs Wyoming
- L, 13-55 @ Fresno State
- L, 34-41 vs Utah State
- W, 31-25 vs UNLV
- L, 14-27 @ San Jose State
2023 Schedule
- Aug. 26 @ Vanderbilt
- Sept. 1 vs Stanford
- Sept. 9 vs Albany
- Sept. 16 @ Oregon
- Sept. 23 vs New Mexico State
- Sept. 30 @ UNLV
- Oct. 14 vs San Diego State
- Oct. 21 @ New Mexico
- Oct. 28 vs San Jose State
- Nov. 4 @ Nevada
- Nov. 11 vs Air Force
- Nov. 18 @ Wyoming
- Nov. 25 vs Colorado State
Bold indicates Mtn. West game.
2023 Recruiting Class – High School
- Elijah Palmer, CB (Bishop Gorman HS – Las Vegas, Nevada)
- Domata Peko Jr., LB (Calabasas HS – California)
- John-Keawe Sagapolutele, QB (Punahou School – Honolulu, Hawai’i)
- Jamih Otis, LB (Bishop Gorman HS – Las Vegas, Nevada)
- Junior Fiaui, LB (St. Francis HS – Mountain View, California)
- Aiden McComber, DE (Bishop Gorman HS – Las Vegas, Nevada)
- Ha’aheo Dela Cruz, DE (‘Iolani School – Honolulu, Hawai’i)
- Zoram Petelo, DE (Layton Christian Academy – Utah)
- Ezekiel Rodrigues, S (Mililani HS – Hawai’i)
- Kaleb Jackson-Carter, OL (Desert Edge HS – Goodyear, Arizona)
- Maclane Watkins, WR (Kennedy Catholic HS – Burien, Washington)
- Eddie Osei-Nketia, WR (Scots College – Wellington, New Zealand)
- Isaac Maugaleoo, OL (James Campbell HS – Ewa Beach, Hawai’i)
- Vaifanua Peo, LB (Samoana HS – Pago Pago, American Samoa)
- Li’atama Uiliata, WR (Waipahu HS – Hawai’i)
- Makanale’a Meyer, S (Mililani HS – Hawai’i)
- Deliyon Freeman, CB (East Coweta HS – Sharpsburg, Georgia)
2023 Recruiting Class – Transfer Portal
- Joshua Atkins, OL (Houston/Arlington, Texas)
- Cam Stone, CB (Wyoming/Angleton, Texas)
- Steven McBride, WR (Kansas/Gonzales, Louisiana)
- Patrick Hisatake, DE (Cal/Mililani, Hawai’i)
- Kuao Peihopa, DT (Washington/Honolulu, Hawai’i)
- Josh Jerome, DT (Eastern Washington/Monroe, Washington)
- Elijah Robinson, DE (East Carolina/Wilmington, North Carolina)*
- Justin Prince, S (UTEP/Compton, California)**
- Oakie Salave’a, WR (Colorado/Pago Pago, American Samoa)
- Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen, CB (UNLV/Pearl City, Hawai’i)
- Jonah Chong, QB (Nevada/Kahalu’u, Hawai’i)
*also lettered at Louisburg College
**also lettered at Long Beach City College
2023 Recruiting Class – Junior College Transfers
- Justin Sinclair, S (College of San Mateo – CA/Mountain View, California)
- DaMarco Moorer, S (Riverside City College – CA/Arcadia, California)
- C.J. Williams, S (Shasta College – CA/Tallahassee, Florida)
- Caleb Brown, CB (Butler CC – KS/Anniston, Alabama)*
- Daniel Williams, DT (Trinity Valley CC – TX/Converse, Texas)**
- Freddie Pelling, OL (Garden City CC – KS/Ampthill, Bedfordshire, England)
*also redshirted at Kennesaw State
**also lettered at Navarro College (TX)
ASSISTANT COACHES
- Roman Sapolu, co-offensive coordinator/offensive line
- Ian Shoemaker, co-offensive coordinator/tight ends
- Eti Ena, co-defensive coordinator/defensive tackles
- Jacob Yoro, co-defensive coordinator/safeties
- Thomas Sheffield, associate head coach/special teams coordinator
- Chris Brown, linebackers
- Steven Irwin, cornerbacks
- Keiki Misipeka, running backs
- Jared Ursua, wide receivers
- Jordan Pu’u-Robinson, defensive ends
THREE KEY PLAYERS
- QB Brayden Schager (Jr.)
He needs to cut down on the interceptions, but the dual-threat Schager led the Warriors with 2,348 passing yards and 13 scores. Schager, who was not recruited by Chang, will continue to compete with ex-Pitt transfer Joey Yellen and 6’5” former walk-on Jake Farrell.
- LB Logan Taylor (Sr.)
A converted safety from the JUCO ranks, Taylor transitioned to linebacker at Hawai’i and then came back for one more season. He is the Warriors’ leading returning tackler (85) and coaches raved about his leadership in the spring.
- S Peter Manuma (Soph.)
The former walk-on earned all-Mountain West honors after finishing third on the Warriors with 70 tackles, while also picking off two passes and breaking up five more.
THREE KEY LOSSES
- RB Dedrick Parson
Parson’s versatility in the backfield (830 rushing yards) and as a receiver (30 receptions) made him a unique weapon in the Warriors’ offense.
- WR Zion Bowens
Bowens caught 35 passes despite only playing in nine games, and also led Hawai’i with 14.1 yards per catch and four receiving TDs.
- LB Penei Pavihi
The American Samoa product was second on the Warriors with 78 tackles from his middle linebacker position, including five for loss.
THREE KEY ADDITIONS
- DT Kuao Peihopa (Soph.)
The Honolulu native and Washington transfer is hoping to write a new chapter in his home state after he rarely played at UW and fell out of favor with their new coaching staff. He was ranked the #4 recruit in Hawai’i out of high school according to 247Sports and looked excellent in the spring.
- S Ezekiel Rodrigues (Fr.)
The Warriors need help in the secondary, they’re looking to prioritize local recruiting, and the state of Hawai’i is well-known for producing hard-hitting, scrappy defensive backs. So, it’s therefore a match made in heaven for Rodrigues, who had four interceptions and eight pass breakups in his final two seasons at Mililani High School, only 45 minutes from the UH campus. He was one of four high school recruits that participated in the Polynesian Bowl and later signed with the Warriors.
- WR Eddie Osei-Nketia (Fr.)
Osei-Nketia might just be the most unique recruit in the country. Hailing from all the way in New Zealand, Osei-Nketia is the fastest sprinter in the country’s history, breaking his own father’s record in the 100 meters (10.08). After he failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, Osei-Nketia briefly flirted with a switch to a rugby career in New Zealand before shocking everyone and choosing to play American football at Hawai’i. He’s never played a down of football and will be a 22-year-old freshman. Osei-Nketia will obviously be extremely raw, but he is an athletic freak at 6’5″, and his 100-meter time, if converted to a 40-yard dash time, would make him the nation’s fastest player by far.
QUOTE
“We’re a unique culture. We’re a unique place. And these guys have got to want to be here. That’s the main common goal, you know? We want to go after guys that want to be here, want to be in Hawai’i, want to represent this state, want to represent this program, understand my vision and where we want to take this thing.”
—Head coach Timmy Chang
2023 Preview – Offense
The Rainbow Warriors are changing up the playbook after the offense averaged only 19.8 points per game in a transition year.
Second-year head coach Timmy Chang is a decorated former UH QB who had great success running the run-and-shoot offense, and he’ll be taking over the playcalling duties. Chang wants to run a modified run-and-shoot with some tight end sets, as opposed to last season, when the Warriors ran more of a multiple spread/Air Raid scheme under Ian Shoemaker and Roman Sapolu, who are now co-coordinators.
“I wanted to go to the run-and-shoot because, historically, we’re good at it,” Chang told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in the offseason. “That’s what I know. That’s the offense I’ve been in for a number of years at Saint Louis and the University of Hawaii. That’s what I grew up doing. And we’re really, really good at it on the island.”
Chang’s next task is to get more out of quarterback Brayden Schager. The junior from Dallas competed hard under a scheme that he wasn’t recruited to play in, passing for 2,348 yards and 13 scores, but he also threw 10 picks and completed only 55 percent of his passes. Backup Joey Yellen was less than impressive in four games last season as well, so unless the Warriors are looking to the portal, Schager might be their best bet. Former walk-on Jake Farrell could be a wild-card, or it could be highly-touted local kid John-Keawe Sagapolutele, who arrives in the fall.
At receiver, the Warriors lost their top three pass-catchers: receiver Zion Bowens, tight end Caleb Phillips and running back Dedrick Parson. Jalen Walthall, a transfer from Houston, and junior Jonah Panoke both caught 27 passes and might be ready to further step up.
Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala only had 15 catches last season, but he caught two touchdowns and could be a factor on an offense that needs new red zone threats. Kansas grad transfer Steven McBride has potential, too, after playing sparingly in his Jayhawk career. Despite only being 5’7″, sophomore Koali Nishigaya impressed coaches enough to receive a scholarship in the spring.
The running game loses Parson, but returns Tylan Hines, a sophomore who averaged 7.6 yards per carry and was second on the team with 634 rushing yards and two TDs. Senior Nasjzae Bryant-Lelei is a bigger back who can get the hard yards, and sophomore Jordon Johnson is another small, speedy type.
The Warriors will miss Ilm Manning and Micah Vanterpool up front after the duo both earned all-Mountain West honors last season. UH signed three linemen who are 6’5″ or bigger, so Sapolu, who’s also the Warriors’ O-line coach, knows what he’s looking for. Hawai’i gave up only 20 sacks last fall (third in the MW), but they will need to develop young players quickly to avoid a drop-off. Center Eliki Tanuvasa is the anchor here.
2023 Preview – Defense
It was another forgettable season for the UH defense, giving up 34.7 points per game and finishing last in the Mountain West in total defense. Veteran coordinator Jacob Yoro, a childhood friend of Chang’s, retains six starters and has added (or will be adding) 11 transfers.
There is some returning talent in the back end thanks to the presence of safety Peter Manuma, a former walk-on who earned all-MW honors after collecting 70 tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups. Corner Virdel Edwards II, a former Iowa State transfer, also contributed with 50 tackles, three picks and five pass breakups of his own.
Meki Pei, an Oahu native who began his career at Washington, earned a scholarship after a 53-tackle season. Kaulana Makaula had 21 tackles last season and should take over for Tiger Peterson at nickel.
Searching for more depth and immediate production, Chang also brought in five transfers here, plus four freshmen, in his recruiting class. The best of the bunch might be Wyoming transfer corner Cam Stone, senior JoJo Forest or JUCO All-American safety DaMarco Moorer.
The situation in the front seven is more concerning, as the Warriors are relying on a collection of newcomers to turn things around after the group was underwhelming last season.
Seniors Jonah Kahahawai-Welch and Andrew Choi, junior Ezra Evaimalo, sophomores Tariq Jones and Anthony Sagapolutele, and redshirt freshman Dean Briski will try to form a capable rotation at defensive end.
Wynden Ho’ohuli was a ballyhooed Nebraska transfer, but he played in only three games last season. Similarly, Cal transfer Patrick Hisatake was a four-star prospect out of high school, but lacks experience. East Carolina grad transfer Elijah Robinson is another newcomer who could make an impact here.
Plenty of players in this group are undersized as well, so defensive line coach Eti Ena will need to work his magic to improve upon a unit that finished last in the Mountain West with only 17 sacks. On the interior, Eastern Washington grad transfer Josh Jerome is a proven talent, while Daniel Williams is a 330-pound JUCO transfer who could start immediately.
At linebacker, super-seniors Logan Taylor and Isaiah Tufaga are back for one more go after they combined for 114 tackles, but there’s not much depth. Noah Kema and Demarii Blanks are unproven JUCO transfers, although the Warriors did sign a quartet of freshmen, including Domata Peko Jr., a signing day surprise in February whose dad played a decade in the NFL.
2023 Preview – Special Teams
Kicker and punter Matthew Shipley returns for one more season after averaging 40.7 yards per punt and making 16 of 20 field goals.
The Warriors have improved the roster’s speed as a whole, but they lack an obvious return man. Special teams coordinator Thomas Sheffield — who worked with Chang at Nevada — will presumably continue auditions for that role in the fall.
Summary
Chang knew he was inheriting a cultural rebuild after the tumultuous exit of Todd Graham, so the 3-10 debut shouldn’t necessarily reflect badly on him.
Chang has had to navigate a tough stadium situation, as well as a chronic lack of depth thanks to portal issues. Aloha Stadium was condemned by the state government and the demolition is pending, while a new stadium built on the same site might not be completed until 2027. In the interim, the Warriors must play home games at the glorified practice field known as the Ching Athletic Complex, which seats a mere 17,000 after renovations.
Chang adding new wrinkles to the offense and taking over play-calling duties himself should help Schager’s development and generate more scoring opportunities, but the Warriors still need new players to emerge on the O-line and better receiving play. The defense needs to step up and stop somebody this season.
With that said, there should still be notable improvements in the second season under Chang, as the Warriors avoid Boise State and Fresno State on the schedule and get Air Force and San Diego State at home. Achievable goals would be to score some more upsets in Mountain West play and be more physical on both sides of the ball, but getting back to the postseason is still unlikely.
Despite the stadium question lingering over the program, Chang is keeping it simple in terms of long-term vision: foster a positive atmosphere, emphasize the program’s Polynesian roots, and become a landing pad for Power Five conference players who hop in the portal. Those are all key points of emphasis as Chang crosses his fingers for a big jump forward in Year Two.
Letters from Las Cruces 