2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Share your news and views about University of Hawaii Warrior Football
kapakahi
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 6420
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: formerly SoCal (Long Beach, South Bay & the OC); relocated back to Honolulu

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by kapakahi »

Irse wrote: Mon Mar 07, 2022 2:39 pm
My3Cats wrote: Mon Mar 07, 2022 12:16 pm Getting back to the topic of walk-ons . . .

Who were true walk-ons (not preferred walk-ons, big difference) in recent memory who earned significant playing time?
I think they were all true walkons. The preferred walkons don't have to go through any tryouts.
Irse wrote: Tue Mar 08, 2022 3:08 pm
cabanalane wrote: Tue Mar 08, 2022 1:42 pm
BigWave96744 wrote: Tue Mar 08, 2022 8:56 am
Looking back at some prior post, in 2010 almost 100 guys showed up, about 4 got selected, 1 eventually made the team (Kawika Borden) and eventually played at LS until his senior year

In 2012, about a 100 came out, 4 got selected, 2 made the team (Joel Ragsdale & Tyler Brown) but never played

So it's like a needle in the haystack
I didn't know the odds are that slim. What's the point of the walk-on, to find that 4/100 let's say? I thought walk-on tryouts was for guys that get chance. Look more like "no chance."
The guys who get chance are preferred walkons who don't need to go through the tryouts.
DL Makai Manuwai participated in the pre-Spring 2017 walk-on tryouts (with 21 other non-PWO candidates) and joined the team to eventually become a regular DL rotation player during the 2018 & 2019 seasons.

https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/foot ... uwai/18753
https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/warr ... n-tryouts/
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2019/09/ ... lse-start/
He then decided to enroll at UH as a regular student for the 2016 fall semester. At the time, he had several relatives in Hawaii, including his first cousin, Vince Manuwai, a former UH and NFL offensive lineman.

That semester he came in contact with Legi Suiaunoa, who had been hired to coach the Rainbow Warriors’ defensive linemen. Manuwai was among 22 UH students to participate in the walk-on tryouts in February 2017.

Manuwai, who played tight end and defensive end at South Bedford, aced the audition and “they let me on the team.” A week later, Suiaunoa was promoted to defensive coordinator.

Manuwai can play the 3 technique (opposite the gap between the offensive guard and tackle) and strong-side end known as the “bandit.” In one of the sub-packages, Manuwai aligns at nose tackle.

“He works hard,” head coach Nick Rolovich said of Manuwai. “He does whatever we ask him to do. He has a little bit of a (former Warrior) Zeno Choi role where he can do a bunch of things for us because he’s smart and cares a lot. It’s important to him.”

Logo said Manuwai is a quick study. “He can mentally execute the assignment,” Logo said. “It takes once or twice, and he’s got it.”
Also, hybrid LB/SS Noa Kamana participated in the pre-Spring 2019 walk-on tryouts (with probably around 20 or so other non-PWO candidates) and joined the team to be a regular contributor on Special Teams for the 2019 through 2021 seasons.

https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/foot ... mana/20005
https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/foot ... -warriors/
Noa Kamana, a former Punahou linebacker, has been added to the Warriors’ spring roster as a defensive back.

Kamana, who is 6 feet 185 pounds, played a combo linebacker for Pacific as a true freshman in 2017. Earlier this month, Kamana impressed at UH’s walk-on tryouts, earning a spot with the Warriors.
If true frosh DL Tali Moe is able to show potential during Spring Ball and gets invited back to the Fall roster, I could envision that he could eventually become a DL contributor (on a path similiar to Manuwai).

User avatar
uhwarriors
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 11358
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2004 12:45 am
Location: Honolulu

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by uhwarriors »

kapakahi wrote: Tue Mar 08, 2022 4:37 pm
https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/foot ... mana/20005
https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/foot ... -warriors/
Noa Kamana, a former Punahou linebacker, has been added to the Warriors’ spring roster as a defensive back.

Kamana, who is 6 feet 185 pounds, played a combo linebacker for Pacific as a true freshman in 2017. Earlier this month, Kamana impressed at UH’s walk-on tryouts, earning a spot with the Warriors.
Noa Kamana has seen action not only on specials teams, but also as a LB. He even started a game or two in 2019.

User avatar
My3Cats
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 3273
Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:36 am
Location: Mililani, HI

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by My3Cats »

cabanalane wrote: Tue Mar 08, 2022 1:42 pm I didn't know the odds are that slim. What's the point of the walk-on, to find that 4/100 let's say? I thought walk-on tryouts was for guys that get chance. Look more like "no chance."

I assume there is a cost to host the walk-on tryouts too.
Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, a true walk-on. Got into the final game of his Notre Dame career for one defensive play. They made a movie out of his story. Most true walk-ons never smell the field, many don't even get to dress up for a game. But teams need practice players to field their scout teams. That's the point of the walk-on. Some players want to continue their dream of playing the game.
Cats don't have owners. Cats have servants.

User avatar
My3Cats
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 3273
Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:36 am
Location: Mililani, HI

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by My3Cats »

Good to know that some of the true walk-on players got to see action and contribute in games.
Cats don't have owners. Cats have servants.

User avatar
cabanalane
All-American
All-American
Posts: 1989
Joined: Tue Nov 12, 2013 12:17 pm
Location: I stay on the mainland

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by cabanalane »

Yes, we don't question the heart of Walk-On players. Consider guys who give up their "chance," there are Walk-On players that would love to just get on the field. They don't get the scholarship, still got to show up for practice, give it 100%, and get good grades. the perfect model player. Going back to earlier post, so there's only about 4 that get picked? I would think the number would be like 10-20. 10-20 guys get chance (to live their dreams.)

I remember Bob Wagner once said, they don't turn guys away who want to be part of the team. There was "no cost" to the university. I supposed that's different now with liability insurance and meal plans. So you can be 5'4" and 140lbs. Get chance (Renford Freitas - smallest man to score multiple TDs for UH).

User avatar
uhwarriors
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 11358
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2004 12:45 am
Location: Honolulu

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by uhwarriors »

cabanalane wrote: Wed Mar 09, 2022 12:31 pm Yes, we don't question the heart of Walk-On players. Consider guys who give up their "chance," there are Walk-On players that would love to just get on the field. They don't get the scholarship, still got to show up for practice, give it 100%, and get good grades. the perfect model player. Going back to earlier post, so there's only about 4 that get picked? I would think the number would be like 10-20. 10-20 guys get chance (to live their dreams.)

I remember Bob Wagner once said, they don't turn guys away who want to be part of the team. There was "no cost" to the university. I supposed that's different now with liability insurance and meal plans. So you can be 5'4" and 140lbs. Get chance (Renford Freitas - smallest man to score multiple TDs for UH).
Along with the financial aspect (meals, equipment, etc.), the total number of players on the team is also limited by the locker room size. I believe the locker room can accommodate about 105 players. With 85 scholarship players, there is room for about 20 walk-ons and PWOs.

User avatar
Raudi
Starter
Starter
Posts: 651
Joined: Mon May 15, 2006 2:14 pm

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by Raudi »

It's been 2 weeks, I guess I'm not getting a call back.

User avatar
XLT1000
Pom pom fluffer
Pom pom fluffer
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2022 10:14 pm
MLB: none
NBA: none
NFL: none
Contact:

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by XLT1000 »

Do they have the same years length to complete their stay? 4 years to 7 years. Compared to recruiting players. This is for the walk on tryouts. I was curious about this part. How many years? I thought it was only 4 years then out. But if they're good, then yes 5 years at the most. Red shirt.

kapakahi
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 6420
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: formerly SoCal (Long Beach, South Bay & the OC); relocated back to Honolulu

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by kapakahi »

https://twitter.com/Lennyisblessed/status/1504535890177105920
kapakahi wrote: Tue Mar 01, 2022 1:40 pm
FYI that at least 20 current UH players watched the walk-on tryouts and provided vocal support for Leonard Lee and a few others. There were probably around 30 walk-on candidates who participated in the tryout.
kapakahi wrote: Sun Feb 27, 2022 8:12 am
From the Star-Advertiser (By Stephen Tsai)....

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2022/02/ ... n-tryouts/
By Stephen Tsai Today Updated 1:02 am

--

Outspoken Lee in tryouts

Former UH hybrid safety-linebacker Leonard Lee also participated in the tryout. Lee was one of the most vocal critics of the environment fostered by former head coach Todd Graham.

After expressing his views during a Twitter Space forum, Lee did not attend two practices, and was removed from the roster. Graham resigned on Jan. 14.

User avatar
BigWave96744
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 23260
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2003 4:37 pm

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by BigWave96744 »

Did Waimea HS (Kauai) '21 DL Tali Moe and 27 year old Brandon MacGregor get reps in the Spring scrimmage?

kapakahi
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 6420
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: formerly SoCal (Long Beach, South Bay & the OC); relocated back to Honolulu

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by kapakahi »

BigWave96744 wrote: Fri Apr 22, 2022 12:19 pm Did Waimea HS (Kauai) '21 DL Tali Moe and 27 year old Brandon MacGregor get reps in the Spring scrimmage?
With the shortage of interior DT depth, DT Tali Moe got lots of reps with the 2s. Would think he’ll be on the Fall roster.
With higher numbers of hybrid edge DE/OLBs, MacGregor didn’t get the reps that Tali Moe got.

kapakahi
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 6420
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: formerly SoCal (Long Beach, South Bay & the OC); relocated back to Honolulu

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by kapakahi »

BigWave96744 wrote: Fri Apr 22, 2022 12:19 pm Did Waimea HS (Kauai) '21 DL Tali Moe and 27 year old Brandon MacGregor get reps in the Spring scrimmage?
With the shortage of interior DT depth, DT Tali Moe got lots of reps with the 2s. Would think he’ll be on the Fall roster.
With higher numbers of hybrid edge DE/OLBs, MacGregor didn’t get near the amount of reps that Tali Moe got.
Last edited by kapakahi on Sat Apr 23, 2022 9:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
uhwarriors
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 11358
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2004 12:45 am
Location: Honolulu

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by uhwarriors »

Although Moe and MacGregor got the publicity, it appears there are at least 9 other PWOs or WOs that are on the spring roster who were not on the roster last year. This may not be a complete list: QB Ephraim Tuliloa, RB Robbie Paikai, RB Brock Hedani, DB David Otasowie, DB Billy Mitchell III, LB Steele Dubar, P Keola Downing, LS Scotty Akinson, DT Tali Moe, DT Ethan Santiago and LB Brandon MacGregor.

kapakahi
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 6420
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: formerly SoCal (Long Beach, South Bay & the OC); relocated back to Honolulu

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by kapakahi »

uhwarriors wrote: Tue Mar 08, 2022 6:34 pm
kapakahi wrote: Tue Mar 08, 2022 4:37 pm
https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/foot ... mana/20005
https://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/foot ... -warriors/
Noa Kamana, a former Punahou linebacker, has been added to the Warriors’ spring roster as a defensive back.

Kamana, who is 6 feet 185 pounds, played a combo linebacker for Pacific as a true freshman in 2017. Earlier this month, Kamana impressed at UH’s walk-on tryouts, earning a spot with the Warriors.
Noa Kamana has seen action not only on specials teams, but also as a LB. He even started a game or two in 2019.
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2022/08/ ... mily-life/
https://hawaiiathletics.com/sports/foot ... mana/20005 https://twitter.com/StarAdvertiser/status/1554528944598274049
Kamana, who did not receive any Division I offers as a Punahou School senior, attended Pacific University in Oregon as a freshman in 2018. While he liked the program, he missed Hawaii. He transferred to UH, then asked the Rainbow Warriors coaches if he could join as a walk-on. “Thankfully, they gave me a chance,” Kamana said.

His first three UH seasons, he played in 36 of 37 games. He was the guard on punt protection, a rusher or hold-up guard on punt returns, an inside gunner on kickoffs, and a guard/tackle on kick returns. “You’re moving backward when guys are coming at you full-speed,” Kamana said of his role on kick returns. “You’ve got to block ’em, get your body in front of ’em. You’re putting your body on the line for the team, for the returner.”

Kamana’s special-teams play was acknowledged when he was awarded a scholarship last year. He also moved from linebacker to boundary safety. When Jacob Yoro was promoted to defensive coordinator in January, he implemented a scheme that matched Kamana’s toughness, change-of-direction quickness and play recognition.

Kamana, who is 6 feet 1, dropped 10 pounds — he weighs 195 — and increased his speed. He reached his goal of clocking under a second in the “flying 10,” which times the final 10 yards of a 40-yard sprint. He was timed at 0.98 and 0.99. This training camp, Kamana and Leonard Lee have been practicing as the starting safeties.

“Right now, it’s our position to lose,” Kamana said. “There’s still open competition, and these young guys are challenging us. But I believe in my talents, and I believe in the hard work I put in, and I believe the coaches trust me to get the job done. It’s up to me to keep my spot. If I lose it, I lose it. It’s all in my hands if I don’t mess up and just do my job.”
https://twitter.com/RobDeMelloKHON/status/1554698151025467393

kapakahi
*True Sports Fan*
*True Sports Fan*
Posts: 6420
Joined: Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:22 pm
Location: formerly SoCal (Long Beach, South Bay & the OC); relocated back to Honolulu

Re: 2022 Walk-on Tryouts

Post by kapakahi »

Fall walk-on tryouts.... Hmmm.... https://twitter.com/UH_FBRecruits/status/1555409834370945024

Post Reply