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Basically ... This could be the best Hawaii defense under June Jones if he can find a decent replacement for Boston College bound defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa. The pass rush should be tremendous taking the pressure off the loaded secondary. All three starting linebackers have to be replaced, but if some players step up to take over the production and leadership provided by Chris Brown and Pisa Tinoisamoa, the D will be outstanding.
Star of the defense: Senior SS Hyrum Peters
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior LB Chad Kaililimoku
Unsung star on the rise: Senior DE Travis LaBoy
Best pro prospect: Senior DT Isaac Sopoaga
Defensive Line
Projected Starters
- Defensive end Houston Ala, Sr - The 250-pound Ala can play on the end or at tackle if necessary. He was plenty of action last year as a pass rushing terror making 45 tackles, six sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
- Defensive tackle Lance Samuseva, Sr. - Named the team's most inspirational player, Samuseva made 48 tackles in the middle. At 290 pounds, he's one of the biggest linemen and is always among the most active.
- Defensive tackle Isaac Sopoaga, Sr. - How good was Sopoaga against the run? He was fourth on the team with 72 tackles and made seven tackles for loss. The 315-pound senior is a pure run stuffer.
- Defensive end Travis LaBoy, Sr. - LaBoy always seems to be dinged up, but he always ends up producing. The 249-pound senior is a great pass rusher leading the team with seven sacks and 17 tackles for loss.
Top Backups
- DT Lui Fuga, Sr. -The 301-poiund Fuga has had some injury problems and missed time this spring. He'll use his size to rotate in the middle on the left side with Sopoaga.
- DE Kevin Jackson, Sr. - Jackson will once again see time on the left side and be used for an occasional pass rushing boost. He made 21 tackles and 3.5 sacks last year.
The Skinny: The line might become something really special. There's not going to be any problem getting pressure on the quarterback with three ends that can move. Samuseva and Sopoaga are strong in the middle and will have to be even better against the run as the new linebacking corps gets its feet wet.
Defensive Line Rating: 7
Linebackers
Projected Starters
- Keani Alapa, Sr. - He'll have to be the leader of the linebacking corps with the most experience and the most talent of the group. He played in every game last year making 39 tackles and four sacks. Alapa is a 221-pound player with talent, and he should be in for a big season on the strong side.
- Chad Kalilimoku, Sr. - After playing behind Chris Brown last year, Kalilimoku will finally get the chance to start in the middle after making 26 tackles, six tackles for loss and a sack.
- Ikaika Curnan, Soph. - The Warrior weak side linebackers are all strong safety side. The 210-pound Curnan will have to blossom into a big-time player after a 15 tackle freshman season. He has the speed, but now he has to prove he can handle the full-time role in place of Pisa Tinoisamoa.
Top Backups
- Patrick Harley, Jr. - He'll push Alapa on the strong side following a six tackle season.
- Tanuvasa Moe, Soph. - Moe made six tackles as a reserve last year. He's only 218 pounds, but he'll back up Kalilimoku in the middle.
- Kilinahe Noa, Jr. - He might split time with Curnan on the weak side. Noa played in the 12 games and made 13 tackles.
The Skinny: The entire starting linebacking corps has to be replaced. It'll be hard to replace the 225 tackles of Brown and Tinoisamoa, but this group will have to try. There's a little bit of experience behind the starters, so there should be plenty of competition and lots of options as the season goes on.
Linebacker Rating: 5
Secondary
Projected Starters
- Cornerback Abraham Elimimian, Jr. - Elimimian isn't all that big, but he's quick and can tackle. He was sixth on the team last year with 68 tackles and broke up eight passes with two interceptions. With his experience, he's a solid corner the Warriors can count on.
- Free safety David Gilmore, Sr. - An experienced player, Gilmore made 70 tackles in 2002. He'll combine with Leonard Peters for the spot. While Gilmore is better against the run, Peters is better in pass coverage.
- Strong safety Hyrum Peters, Sr. - He can play corner or safety. A first-team All-WAC talent, Peters missed the end of last year after getting hurt with a sprained knee in the Alabama game, but he still finished third on the team with 77 tackles and intercepted four passes. He's only 5-8, but he's extremely quick.
Cornerback Kelvin Millhouse, Sr. - Millhouse is the team's best cover corner. The 6-1, 205 pound senior is a big corner that can play safety is absolutely necessary. He picked off four passes and busted up 12 others last year and was great at times on the blitz.
Top Backups
- Free safety Leonard Peters, Soph. - If Peters is healthy, he'll take over the starting job competing with David Gilmore. He's had problems with a knee, but he still made 25 tackles in nine games last year.
- Cornerback Kenny Patton, Soph. - Patton saw time in 11 games last year making ten tackles and broke up a pass. He'll back up Elimimian on the left side.
- Cornerback Gary Wright, Sr. - The senior provides size and experience at the corner. He made 13 tackles in 2002 and will back up Millhouse in 2003.
The Skinny: The pass defense wasn't all that strong last season giving up 226 yards per game, but all four starters return along with a decent amount of depth. This is expected to be one of the team's strengths.
Secondary Rating: 7
Special Teams
- Placekicker Justin Ayat, Jr. - Ayat is as consistent as any kicker in the country from close range, but he's not big from a distance. Inside forty yards, Ayat hit 14 of 16 kicks, but was one of seven from beyond forty with the longest kick coming from fifty yards.
- Punter Kurt Milne, RFr. - Mat McBriar became a force last year averaging 44.8 yards per kick on his was to an All-WAC season. Milne will battle with Tim Wright to replace him.
The Skinny: Chad Owens averaged 25.1 yards per kick return, but only 7.7 yards on his punt returns. He'll handle the duties again if his knee is healthy. Ayat is a solid kicker, but the punting game will be a question mark until the Warriors get into live action.
Special Teams Rating: 6
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