Who knows how they will finish, but the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors started the year fast.
The sky may have been overcast, but the disposition was sunny and spirited all around for the football team’s first spring practice. First-year coach Nick Rolovich, a former Rainbow Warrior quarterback and assistant, felt an instant dose of nostalgia Tuesday as took to Cooke Practice Field in Honolulu.
“It was pretty special for me to walk through the gates back to the grass,” Rolovich said in a university release. “So many good memories, so many good teammates.
“I like the energy of the boys today.”
Coming off a 3-10 season and the failed four-year reign of Norm Chow, UH will devote most of its 15 practices to creating synergy.
“I hope they leave (spring) with a little bit of trust in each other and the coaches,” Rolovich said. “This isn’t as much about scheme as how close we are as a family. That is what the spring is about.”
Leading up to the April 29 spring game, a lot of eyes will be on who takes charge at quarterback and makes good and quick decisions in Rolovich’s fast-paced system.
Ikaika Woolsey returns after making five starts in 2015 and 19 in his career. Last season, he completed 73-of-149 passes for five touchdowns and 908 yards and has thrown for 3,589 career yards heading into his senior season. Freshman Aaron Zwahlen, who enjoyed a prolific season as senior in high school in California, redshirted last season after taking a two-year church mission. Redshirt sophomore Beau Reilly ran the scout team last season.
“I feel we flied around and made a lot of plays,” Woolsey said. “Definitely something we can build on.
“One of the things I focus on is taking care of the ball. More importantly, just getting the guys around me to play for me and play for the rest of the team. We have a lot of guys who are willing to work and grind.”
Many of the skill players return, including running back Paul Harris, who last season was UH’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2012.
Whoever wins the quarterback job will have an ample amount of weapons with which to try and get the ball.
The Rainbow Warriors return four of their top five receivers, led by Marcus Kemp (36 passes, 536 yards) and Devan Stubblefield (30, 351), as well Isaiah Bernard and slot Dylan Collie. Guard Dejon Allen, an all-Mountain West honorable mention selection, anchors four returnees on the line.
“It’s high energy and you have to go and you have to go quick and you have to get comfortable fast,” Collie said. “That leads to some discomfort, but I like it and it’s going to be good and we’re going to continue to play fast.
“It’s great new staff. That’s what I know now. I don’t think about before.”
On the defense, the bell cow is expected to once again be defensive end Kennedy Tulimasealii, and all-Mountain West first-teamer who made 18 tackles for loss last season, tops in the conference.
UH must replace two starters at linebacker and in the secondary under new defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa.
“Slight difference with all the technique and scheme,” Tulimasealii said. “Like everything else, you have to adapt and go, go, go.
“Very determined to have the boys get to a higher level. Not just for me. My last nine months is not just for me but to build this program.”