UCLA's Kai Maiava Hon Men All-PAC 12

Senior center Kai Maiava was selected All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention

Te'o ready to embrace his next leap of faith

By ERIC HANSEN - Follow me @hansensouthbend Tribune Staff Writer

6:44 a.m. EDT, September 2, 2011

From the inside looking out, the swirl of opportunity and overwhelm about to hit Notre Dame junior linebacker Manti Te’o evokes — strangely, it would seem — a calm.

It almost comes off as naiveté, until you peel back the layers of who he is and discover this powerful spiritual strength that pervades everything he does and everything and everyone he touches.

"One thing I know for sure," he says, "one day we’re all going to pass. One day everybody’s going to leave this Earth. Whatever we have here we can’t take with us, except who I am as a person. And at the end of the day, that’s all that matters."

On this early June day, who Te’o is, is a mentor at the South Bend Center for the Homeless, a requisite part of a one-credit community service class with which Te’o and the majority of veteran Irish football players are kicking off their summers.

With him this day are Irish football teammates Everett Golson, Austin Collinsworth, Carlo Calabrese, David Ruffer, Luke Massa, Jamoris Slaughter, Lane Clelland, Aaron Lynch, and Irish men’s basketball player Mike Broghammer.

Inside the facility, that has so transcended the holding-tank image of a stereotypical homeless shelter and become a beacon of hope and opportunity in this community, the children ages 3 to 6 haven’t an inkling of the star power and potential the 6-foot-2, 255-pound Laie, Hawaii, product carries at Notre Dame Stadium, just a five-minute bus ride away.

But they gravitate to him anyway, like he’s a rock star.

One little girl, in particular, snuggles up to Te’o as the Center’s teacher pops in a DVD of "Finding Nemo" in what turns out to be a futile attempt to distract the kids and buy some time until the rain outside passes.

Some kids use Te’o as a jungle gym. Some just stare at his infectious smile. The little 5-year-old whom Te’o has nicknamed Pu Pu (loosely translated: treasure, jewel, precious) uses the burgeoning star to test out her dreams.

"I want to be a TV star," she says, showing off a smile that seems to sparkle even with two front teeth missing. "What do you think?"

Te’o tells her to dream big. In fact, when football ends someday, that is what the 20-year-old body with an old soul hopes to make his life’s work.

"I want to have some kind of impact on people," he said. "I told my dad (Brian), I don’t see myself sitting behind a desk. I want to help people. I want to build organizations that help athletes, that help children.

"One of the biggest things in Hawaii, that kind of hinders our youth, is that they feel that they can’t do things. They feel all they have is in front of them. They don’t realize there’s so much more out there in the world.

"I want to get through to them. I want to get through to as many as I possibly can, that, ‘Hey, you can do it. I’m an example there’s something bigger than what’s in front of you.’ That’s what I want to do."

What’s in front of Te’o now, though, is a big unknown. He came to Notre Dame as the most celebrated defensive prospect since Cincinnati Moeller linebacker Bob Crable, roughly three decades earlier.

But who is Manti Te’o about to become?

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Notre Dame lineback Manti Te’o has first-round potential but dreams bigger

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Anyone worrying about Manti Te’o becoming distracted by his NFL future heading into his junior season at Notre Dame underestimates the tao of Te’o.

The All-American candidate doesn’t sit around dreaming about the NFL.

His dreams are bigger than that.

“Ever since I was young I understood the whole meaning of life isn’t how much money you can accumulate, how much fame you experience, it’s how many lives you touch, how many faces you bring smiles to,” the linebacker said when asked how he envisions himself in 20 years. “I see myself back in Hawaii doing something in the community to improve the lives of young children. Everything I’ve done is to prepare myself to give back.”

Notre Dame lacks depth at all the offensive skill positions and is so thin at running back that a pair of freshmen can expect meaningful carries. Converted running back Theo Riddick is still learning how to play receiver. The offense is led by Dayne Crist, who has suffered two major knee injuries the past two seasons.

There are no such concerns for a defense that should rank among the nation’s best. The heart of that unit is Te’o. The 6-foot-2, 255- pounder is projected as a high first-round draft pick should he chose to go pro after this season, yet when he talks about making an impact, it has nothing to do with the team-high 133 tackles he made last season.

“Being a leader,” he said, when asked how he can improve. “Being that constant force out there, that guy that no matter what’s happening on the field or going on on the sidelines, my teammates can turn to me and I can pick them up. I just want to be that guy they can trust and just try and have an influence on them they haven’t had. What I’m trying to say is, I want to have an impact on them beyond football.”

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For Te’o, all that matters is now

By Rick Gano
Associated Press

SOUTH BEND, Ind. » Manti Te’o can clear up two issues immediately. His nose, broken last year in a game against Army, is fine. And his knee, which he had cleaned up with arthroscopic surgery in the offseason, is completely healed.

The Punahou School graduate reports that facial update with a laugh. But there’s a serious question looming for Notre Dame’s hard-hitting linebacker and the Irish fans who watched him make 133 tackles last season — the most by an Irish defender since 1983.

Could this third season in South Bend be his final one if the NFL beckons?

“I don’t really think about it. The task at hand is what is really important to me,” Te’o said of the upcoming season that kicks off Sept. 3 against South Florida.

“I’m just preparing myself to play the best brand of football that I have ever played and whatever comes up and whatever opportunities present themselves then I will sit down with my family and with my coaches and we will talk about it,” he said. “Of course, we have talked about the future and the possibilities of it happening, but right now all that matters to me is this football team.”

With Te’o a force at inside linebacker, the Irish’s defense got better as the season progressed a year ago, especially during a four-game winning streak that allowed them to finish 8-5, including a Sun Bowl victory over Miami.

Te’o leads a group of eight returning defensive starters, including safety Harrison Smith, ends Ethan Johnson and Kapron Lewis-Moore and outside linebacker Darius Fleming.

During that streak last season, the Irish allowed an average of only 9.8 points and gave up just one touchdown during a stretch of 15 quarters. They yielded only 91.8 yards rushing over those four games, wins over Utah, Army, Southern Cal and the Hurricanes.

Te’o was right in the middle of it all.

A highly regarded prep recruit from Punahou, Te’o came to Notre Dame after choosing South Bend over Southern California.

After an adjustment period as a freshman, he made an immediate impact when he started 10 games and had 63 tackles.

When the Irish finished 6-6 in what would be coach Charlie Weis’ final campaign, Te’o had another difficult decision — continue with football or go on a church mission. He chose to stay with a new coaching regime led by Brian Kelly. His faith continues to play a huge role in his life and he’s attended a nearby Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As he sat out this spring to mend his knee, Te’o had a chance to do a lot of watching and that helped him see the defense from a new perspective, learning what other positions do.

“If you know what’s happening around you, you know why you are doing certain things,” Te’o said. “I know why I got to be in a certain position on the field. That’s why I took that whole spring to see what the defensive line does and it just furthered my knowledge of the game.”

Defensive coordinator Bob Diaco said Te’o’s ability to concentrate helps, even when he’s not on the field.

“If you are really focused and your mind’s eye is on a particular event, whether you are watching tape and know what to look at or are at practice, it can really move your game along,” Diaco said of Te’o’s ability to understand the game and the Irish’s 3-4 defense.

“He’s one of the older players. And he has the skills and the ability to have a single-minded focus in those moments.”

Te’o had 21 tackles in a game against Stanford last season and he had six stops against USC despite the broken nose. But there also were times when he missed some stops.

Notre Dame lost a tough game against a free-wheeling Tulsa offense and was pretty much run over by Navy’s option offense.

“I always critique myself. I can always work on bettering my game, coming back stronger and faster,” Te’o said.

“We went through the whole year and had our ups and downs. We played the Tulsa game and the Navy game, those lows. And we also played the Miami game and also played the USC game and ended the season the way we did. We’ve been in those low times and those high times. We know what it takes to be on top and what it takes to be the best.”

If the Irish — ranked 16th in the preseason poll — are to reach their goal of making a BCS bowl, the defense will have to play a pivotal role. And that centers on Te’o.

“We know what he is capable of doing. I think we’ve spent more time with him fundamentally, more than we have, ‘Hey get in there and show us what you can do,’” Kelly said. “He still has the same leadership qualities.”

And the coach isn’t giving much thought, either, to what might happen should Te’o’s season make him a top pro prospect after the season.

“Manti didn’t come here to go to the NFL. He would have gone on a Mormon mission,” Kelly said. “He came here to be at Notre Dame.”

WAC All Decade Team

The All-Decade team includes

Center John Estes-Hawai'i (1st Team 2007, 2008, 2009)
Guard Mike Iupati-Idaho (1st Team 2008, 2009)
Center/Guard Samson Satele-Hawai'i (2nd Team 2003 and 2004, 1st Team 2005 and 2006)

Defensive End Travis Laboy-Hawai'i (2nd Team 2001, 1st Team 2003, Player of the Year 2003)
Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa-Hawai'i (2nd Team 2001, 1st Team 2002)

Na Alii’s Kamana-Matagi added to Hawaii team

HONOLULU - Elvis Kamana-Matagi of King Kekaulike High School has been chosen for the Hawaii team for tonight's Hawaii/Polynesia-Mainland Bowl at Aloha Stadium.

Kamana-Matagi, a 6-foot-1, 244-pound senior defensive lineman, joins Maui High defensive back Elika Laloulu on the roster of 30 football players from Hawaii and 10 from the Mainland with Hawaii ties announced last month. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m., and will follow the Hawaii Goodwill Senior Bowl, which is reserved for Oahu players. Both games will be shown on pay-per-view on OC-16.

Kamana-Matagi has written scholarship offers from Utah State and Nevada-Las Vegas.

Kamana-Matagi could become King Kekaulike’s first scholarship player in FBS

PUKALANI --- Elvis Kamana-Matagi can make a little King Kekaulike High School football history.

With offers from Nevada-Las Vegas and Utah State already in hand and one expected from Hawaii soon, Kamana-Matagi is in position to become the first King Kekaulike player to land a football scholarship at a Football Bowl Subdivision school.

Kamana-Matagi, a 6-foot-2, 261-pound defensive end-offensive guard for Na Alii, said he will likely be an interior defensive lineman in college.

''Defensive tackle, mostly just interior D-line,'' Kamana-Matagi said Wednesday at practice. ''I am at 260-something now, so I might have to gain a little weight, to 280 or so. That would probably be good.''

King Kekaulike coach J.W. Kenton talked with UH coaches last week, and Kamana-Matagi said he expects to receive an offer from the Warriors soon.

''It will mean a lot and I am looking forward to it because this is my home,'' Kamana-Matagi said. ''If I can play for UH, that would be great. They would be in my top five right now, for sure, but I haven't really finalized my list yet.''

Kamana-Matagi also hopes to receive an offer from Texas Tech --- close friend Sam Fehoko, a Farrington graduate, is a linebacker with

the Red Raiders. Fehoko's father is Vili ''The Warrior'' Fehoko, who performs during UH games. Vili Fehoko and Elvis Matagi Sr. were childhood friends and Kamana-Matagi said he visits the Fehokos often on Oahu's North Shore.

Other schools on Kamana-Matagi's wish list are Colorado, Oregon State, Washington, Washington State and Oregon.

''I am going to wait, see what other offers I get and make my decision then,'' he said. ''If I can, I am going to take all five trips (allowed by NCAA rules).''

With his distinctive first name, Kamana-Matagi could become a fan favorite wherever he ends up.

''My grandma, when she came from Samoa, she loved Elvis Presley so she named my dad Elvis and then they named me Elvis Junior,'' he said.

Kenton said Kamana-Matagi has solid grades and is close to a qualifying score on the SAT.

''If Elvis continues and works he will be the first kid to get a scholarship out of our school for a Division I program,'' Kenton said. ''He is a good kid, he has come a long way. He still has a long way to go, but we just keep working every day.''

Kenton said Kamana-Matagi has been focused on what is possible from the beginning of his stay at the Pukalani campus.

''I have had him since the 9th grade and we put him into this academic system and he really did well as a 9th-grader,'' Kenton said. ''He made, like, a 3.0 (grade-point average) as a 9th-grader.''

Kamana-Matagi stepped in to play offense in addition to his regular spot on defense in last week's 18-8 win at Kealakehe after a 34-7 loss to Kalaheo the week before at home. Kenton said Kamana-Matagi taking on the extra role made a huge difference in the attitude Na Alii displayed on the field.

That kind of leadership is something Kamana-Matagi can leave as a legacy at the Upcountry school.

''We have had a bunch of good players throughout the years,'' Kenton said. ''And certain things didn't match up --- either they didn't get an offer or they didn't qualify. Something was always missing, but he is the real deal. He has got offers already on the table and all he has to do is do his part on the field and do it in the classroom and he will be there.''

Maiava tries to make a name for himself

By ROBERT COLLIAS

BEREA, Ohio --- As Kaluka Maiava emerged from the locker room adjacent to the Casey Coleman Field House --- one of 82 players after the Cleveland Browns' first practice of fall camp --- he was greeted by just one reporter.

Earlier, quarterbacks Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, receivers Braylon Edwards and Brian Robiskie, defensive lineman Robaire Smith --- even kicker Phil Dawson --- were all swarmed by the media throng assembled before entering the locker room.

There was no such pressing demand for Maiava, who showered before his one interview request.

It was eight days ago that Maiava, a linebacker selected in the fourth round out of Southern California, experienced his first practice as a member of the Browns. The 2005 graduate of Baldwin High School realized precisely what is in front of him.

He said he has just one goal in mind right now: Make the team.

''Some of these guys have kids and wives to feed,'' he said. ''I have to put that into perspective and make sure that I am on top of my game. It is not college no more. They can cut me, I can go home and I can be jobless.''

That is not likely with the progress Maiava appears to be making shortly after signing a four-year, $2.5 million contract last month.

''The business part is all done now, the paper business part is done,'' he said. ''Now, the real business, the physical part, is there. It is nice to have that contract stuff out of the way, a little breathing room. I can go out to dinner now if I want.''

Maiava caught the eye of coach Eric Mangini, among others, at his first practice. Maiava, a 6-foot, 229-pounder, wore No. 56 as he worked at both inside linebacker spots in the Browns' 3-4 defensive scheme.

''He is a guy who I thought was very smart when I interviewed him (prior to April's NFL draft),'' Mangini said. ''I liked his style of play. I liked what he had done on special teams in college and I think that he has a chance to contribute in a lot of different ways for us.''

The first Mauian ever to be drafted by an NFL team was not a starter until his final season at USC, but he finished third on the team with 66 tackles and was named the defensive player of the game in his fourth Rose Bowl, a 38-24 win over Penn State in January. He had 164 tackles in his career and twice was named the Trojans' co-special teams player of the year.

Maiava is not alone among Hawaii-connected Browns in Berea, a suburb just outside of Cleveland where the team headquarters is located.

David Veikune, a former University of Hawaii linebacker selected in the second round of this year's draft, is also fighting to make the team. Melila Purcell is a defensive lineman out of UH who was signed as a free agent last year. Kimo von Oelhoffen, a 1990 Molokai High School graduate and 14-year NFL veteran defensive lineman with a Super Bowl ring from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005, is a coaching intern for the Browns.

''Tough, athletic, fast,'' Veikune said of Maiava. ''You know, he is one of those USC linebackers, so he is living up to the billing.''

Veikune said it matters little that Maiava is the first Maui Interscholastic League football player drafted by an NFL team.

''Shoot, Hawaii has a lot of talent and he is just showcasing his right now,'' Veikune said. ''I think he can be anything for us. He is strong, a real strong guy. He is always in the weight room, so he can play anything, I believe.''

Maiava grew up in Wailuku and Veikune in Wahiawa, Oahu. Purcell is from Pago Pago, American Samoa.

''Kaluka is a hard worker, he hustles to the ball, and he is getting smarter and learning the plays,'' Purcell said. ''He is getting himself motivated, not only for practice, but for the games. He is working really hard.

''He has all the qualities it takes to play in the NFL. I think he has all of it. He just needs to work hard every day and he will get better at it.''

Purcell said Maiava doesn't let himself be slowed down by being from a small place.

''I think it says a lot, especially from where he is coming from,'' Purcell said. ''He is showing a lot of the kids coming from a small island, making a name for himself and his family. So it is really big, it really is.''

Maiava said that having his first practice under his belt was a relief.

''It is just exciting, hopefully getting my NFL career off to a good start,'' he said. ''It is an exciting environment. No one likes to be waiting in the offseason. I'm just waiting for the season to start, so the waiting game is done now. It is training camp and time to show the coaches what you can do. I am just competing every day and doing my best.''

Maiava said he doesn't care where his chance to play comes from.

''Whatever they want, whatever the coaches ask me to --- special teams, defense, whatever,'' he said. ''I am just trying my best and competing every day. I just want to show the coaches they can trust me that they can put me on the field.''

While Maui produced NCAA football players before Maiava, he has started an avalanche of activity. More than a dozen MIL alumni will dot Football Bowl Subdivision rosters this fall.

''It is just great to hear from guys from Maui who are actually showing that Maui boys and Hawaii boys can play,'' Maiava said. ''Hopefully every year there are more and more. If guys see me do it and go to college, then it is just good for the Maui boys to get out there.

''I take a lot of pride in all that. It is all about representing, no matter where you are from. You've always got to represent yourself and your family.''

Highly touted linebacker Te'o begins Irish career

Highly touted linebacker Te'o begins Irish career

TOM COYNE
AP Sports Writer

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — About the only things that stood out about freshman linebacker Manti Te'o as practice for the season got under way were the No. 5 jersey and visor he had on.

The visors worn by some of the Fighting Irish were a first for the team and all the other linebackers on the two-deep chart wore numbers in the 40s. Te'o was the only one in single digits, sharing the same number as tailback Armando Allen. With Te'o starting camp at 6-foot-2 and 244 pounds, there was no trouble distinguishing between the two.

"He's a big guy," quarterback Jimmy Clausen said.

Te'o arrived on campus from Hawai‘i as the most highly rated defensive recruit for Notre Dame in years. Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming called him the best recruit at linebacker since Bob Crable in 1978.

Te'o, who helped lead Punahou to the state championship last year, started his first day in the back of the line as the warmed up, appearing as if he was just trying to fit in. From what coaches are saying, it won't take him long to move to the front. He starts practice listed as the backup to weakside linebacker Brian Smith.

"He's a football player first and foremost, and he's a lot more mature than a lot of guys that come out at 17, 18 years old," defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta said. "He is very confident, yet he understands the game from both sides and knows a lot of how to fit, whether it's the run game or the pass game or whatever. He's a special type guy."

Coach Charlie Weis was asked to compare how ready Te'o is to play with how prepared Clausen, the most anticipated recruit to arrive on the Notre Dame campus in more than a decade, was when he arrived in South Bend two years ago. Clausen started his second game despite still recovering from an elbow injury.

"Jimmy physically was probably less ready to play than Manti is physically. Manti is 245 pounds," Weis said. "If you put him and Brian Smith next to each other, you don't really see much of a physical difference."

Te'o was not available for comment today because Weis allows minimal access to freshmen. His teammates, though, said they were eager to see what Te'o can do.

"Everybody's looking forward to seeing him on the football field, us and fans included," fellow linebacker Scott Smith said. "He's certainly shown a willingness to learn this summer, a willingness to ask questions."

Brian Smith said Te'o has looked as if he's ready to jump in the mix.

"We're going to see what he can bring to the table, see if he can help us win some games," Smith said.

There doesn't appear to be any doubt Te'o will play this season, moreso a matter of when. Kerry Neal started five games as a freshman two years ago and Brian Smith started three that season. The last Irish linebacker to start the first game as a freshman was Kory Minor in 1995.

Aside from his youth, about the only thing that appears to be going against Te'o is that his last name isn't Smith. The three players listed as starting linebackers for the Irish as practices begin are Scott Smith, Toryan Smith and Brian Smith. And that doesn't include Harrison Smith, who started at linebacker last season and has moved to free safety.

Tenuta, who also coaches the linebackers, said he's still not sure which linebacker spot Te'o is best suited for.

"I don't have to slate him anywhere yet," Tenuta said. "Obviously I'm going to play him where it's easiest for him. Then the more you learn, then you can play some other spots. You have to learn the system first. Wherever he does best is where he's going to play."

Clausen said he gave Te'o some advice about being under scrutiny.

"I just told him go out there and be yourself. You're a great player and you know it. Just go out there each and every day and work hard and you'll be fine," he said. "I just told him to have a lot of fun with it. It's a great time in your life and just go out there and perform."

---

UCLA center Kai Maiava sees a future different from the past

He says to expect the UCLA offensive line to redeem itself after a dismal 2008 season, which he sat out after his transfer from Colorado.

By Baxter Holmes
August 5, 2009

He looks at his flat feet as he tells you what will happen this fall.

"It won't be like last year."

He says it again, like a cadence, only this time he laughs, as if last year was something of a humorous, far-fetched tale.

"It won't be like last year."

Then Kai Maiava, a 6-foot-1, 309-pound center who might be the UCLA football team's biggest off-season acquisition, looks up, indicating he's not joking.

He will have a say in the matter as the expected leader of the offensive line and as a potential building block for the future.

As UCLA prepares to open official practice Monday, there appears nowhere to go but up for a line that last season was among the worst units in the country.

The Bruins averaged only 82.75 rushing yards a game -- 2.62 yards a carry -- and gave up 35 sacks. The rankings indicate the worst: of 119 major-college teams, UCLA ranked 110th in allowing sacks, 111th in total offense and 116th in yards rushing per game.

The players seem to know these numbers by heart. In conversation, they recite them as if they are written on the inside of their helmets.

"The coaches are always reminding us, 'What was it, 116th in the country?' " says redshirt senior guard Nick Ekbatani, noting the rushing offense's ranking.

Ekbatani is the only returning lineman to have started all 12 games last year. And to be sure, there were injuries and, even then, inexperience that contributed to those results.

"What we went through last year, no team could survive," says offensive line coach Bob Palcic, who is now in his second year.

There were nine starting combinations in 12 games.

"Some weeks, I couldn't have told you until the day of the game who was starting where," says Kevin Prince, UCLA's quarterback.

Maiava watched it all from the sideline, sitting out the year because of NCAA transfer rules after he left Colorado.

The last college football play he took part in was on Dec. 31, 2007, as Colorado tried some last-second desperation laterals against Alabama in the Independence Bowl.

The play didn't make it to midfield and Alabama won, 30-24.

Maiava played one season for Colorado but says, "I always wanted to be a Bruin," and he laughs again because of the reason why and how things worked out.

The way he tells it, he wanted to play football for UCLA the day his older brother, Kaluka, signed to play linebacker at USC.

That way, he could go against his brother, whom he had gone against for years growing up.

"I probably would have screwed up a play just so I could pancake him," Maiava says.

But for a long time, he had only two scholarship offers out of high school: New Mexico State and Idaho. Then, the day before signing day, Colorado called. Another recruit was wavering, and they wanted Maiava to wait a day.

Scott Mahoney, Maiava's dad, who played offensive line at Colorado from 1969-71, told the coaches his son wasn't waiting, that they had to offer him now. They did.

He was rated the lowest among the eight offensive linemen who signed with the team in 2007, but by the fifth game -- a 27-24 upset of then-No. 3-ranked Oklahoma -- he had joined the starting unit. And at the end of the season he was chosen a freshman all-American.

Despite that success, during the off-season he was asked to move to a fullback/tight end position, a request that may have changed the course of his college career.

Within months, Maiava had decided to leave Colorado, though he says it was to be closer to his family.

Originally from Hawaii, he enjoys the West Coast lifestyle. He bums rides. He loves Bob Marley. He wears sandals everywhere, and even did so in the snow when he was at Colorado.

"Off the field he's totally chill," Prince says.

On the field? Different story.

"He's got this intensity," Ekbatani says, his voice trailing off.

"Don't push his buttons," says senior defensive tackle Brian Price, who goes against Maiava in practice and says the lineman has "vice grips" for hands, which isn't implausible considering Maiava was an amateur boxer of some renown.

"There were times at Colorado when I felt like I didn't know him," Mahoney says of his son's mean streak on the field.

"I don't like to be pushed around," Maiava says. "And I don't like negative plays."

He attributes his mean streak to having older brothers and also from a childhood that included eight years spent living in shipping containers while the family tried to get its finances in order so it could build a house.

There was no running water, no electricity.

"He had it tough growing up," his dad says.

This season, Maiava says he wants to pound the ball the first few games, run straight up the middle again and again so teams know last year was an aberration.

"Pound the rock," he says.

His desire is in line with the plans of Coach Rick Neuheisel, who at Pacific 10 Conference media day said, "We're going to be able to run the ball or die trying this year."

It is a tried-and-true cliche that a team's success hinges on the offensive line.

"You can only go as far as your offensive line can take you," says Norm Chow, UCLA's offensive coordinator.

Last year, that wasn't very far. This year?

Recall Maiava's promise: "It won't be like last year."

Satele back to linebacker

SALT LAKE CITY » By pushing himself through a punishing summer away from home, Brashton Satele found his way back to his comfort zone.

Satele, a linebacker his entire Hawaii football career, began the summer slated to compete at defensive end this season. But after shedding 26 pounds through a rigorous training regimen in Arizona, Satele will begin fall camp next week as the leader at middle linebacker.

"That's my house, I feel comfortable there," Satele said at the Western Athletic Conference Football Preview.

"I guess Coach McMackin appreciated it and considered taking me back. ... My goal was just to get in shape for the season and do what was best for the team."

Satele weighed close to 265 pounds during spring practice while practicing at middle linebacker along with Mana Lolotai. After the Warriors closed the spring, Satele was listed as a defensive end on the Warriors' depth chart with Lolotai slated to start at middle linebacker.

Satele and Lolotai then spent much of their summer working with trainer Chad Ikei in Scottsdale, Ariz. Ikei, a Hawaii product who runs Ikei Sports Performance, also lists NFL players among his clientele and put the linebackers through a daily regimen that had them at the gym from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"That routine is killer," Satele said. "My goal was just to get in shape for the season and do what was best for the team. If I moved back to middle linebacker, I would. If not I'd play where coach wanted me."

Now at 238 pounds, Satele said he's at his lowest playing weight since his freshman year at UH, while Lolotai -- who could still be a starter at outside linebacker -- also returned in improved condition.

"It was a good thing that we were there pushing each other," Satele said.

Satele started four games at middle linebacker early last season but ended the year at an outside backer, picking up pointers from Solomon Elimimian and Adam Leonard along the way.

"I learned the position and I got to learn from the best," Satele said.

Satele said the most significant lesson he picked up from Elimimian was, "You have to be the man, you have to make those tough calls. You just have to take charge of that defense because they'll need somebody to look at."

Sam was the man in Manoa

By Robert Kekaula and Rob DeMello
Special to the Star-Bulletin

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jul 17, 2009

He's an epic figure who combats enemies and performs heroic feats unachievable by ordinary humans, and he does so by finding tremendous strength in his long hair.

Sound familiar?

The description of the biblical Samson is eerily similar to that of Samson Satele, one of the most recognizable football players in the history of the University of Hawaii. At 6-feet-3 and 300 pounds, big bush flowing out of the back of his helmet, he marched to the beat of an Aretha Franklin classic.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Find out what it means to me.

"Sam's mentality was old school. Winning was important to him, but at the end of the day the only thing that really mattered was that whoever you went up against, respected you," said Satele's quarterback for two seasons, Colt Brennan.

From the first time Satele strapped up, wearing the blue and white of the Kalakaua Monarchs as a second-grader, to the silver and black he dons today as an Oakland Raider, his game has been the same.

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"Didn't matter how big or how strong you were," Satele said. "Respect was earned, and if I deserved it but the other guy didn't give it, I took it."

Satele's mission of earning respect was widespread, going both up and down the team's schedule, as well as up and down the Warriors roster.

New players who didn't realize Samson was "King" (it was even taped on his helmet at practice) discovered so quickly. The Warriors under June Jones rarely endured punishment drills, but one morning in fall camp the team paid the price for the overnight tomfoolery of some rookies. At one point, Satele -- normally quiet -- let out a loud growl that sent a message that required no repeating. The young UH players knew there'd be more than a warning next time, and there was no next time.

SIR NAME Five relatives named Satele have played football for UH, or are on the current Warriors roster » Alvis, LB, 1981-84 » Brashton, LB-DE, 2006- » Hercules OL, 2004-07 » Liko, DL, 2008- » Samson, OL, 2003-06

TWENTY-ONE DAYS before Satele was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, and four months after he played his final game for UH, redshirt junior Ray Hisatake opened his locker on the first day of spring camp, and the number 64 jersey that Satele wore stared him right in the eye.

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"I thought there's no way I'm wearing this. I have to call Samson and get his permission," Hisatake said.

Ray did call and, according to Satele, he handed off advice that was once handed off to him.

"When I replaced Vince Manuwai he told me not to worry about filling his shoes, but wear my own. I told Ray the same thing," Satele said.

Samson indeed earned respect as a Warrior. His legacy reads 53 starts in 53 games played, four-time All-WAC (at guard and center), and captain of arguably the best offense in school history.

From the outside looking in it would be easy to assume that Brennan was the team's front man. However, Hawaii's silver-tongued, golden-armed gunslinger, who threw a record 58 touchdown passes as a junior that 2006 season, says otherwise.

"When I came in as a sophomore, there was no question who the leader of the team was," Brennan said. "Sam led this team in every way until the day he left us."

Oh, and Samson took his duties seriously. He wasn't just the guy who snapped the ball to the guy who threw it. To him, it was in his job description to be the self-titled "Personal Protector" to the team's trigger-man.

"It was the Samson-type players that allowed us to have an attitude and be physical and gave us an identity in the O-line that we were just not passive pass protectors," said Jones, Satele's head coach his entire career at UH.

Brennan agreed. "With Sam at center, I've never felt safer on a football field."

Plus, there was extra motivation.

"Papa John's," said a laughing Satele. "If we kept him clean Colt bought us pizza every week. He helped us keep our weight up."

SAMSON IS THE nephew of former UH standout linebacker Alvis Satele. If choosing to play for the same college as a successful relative isn't pressure enough, the all-state offensive lineman out of Kailua High School willingly added the weight of the state on his shoulders.

"I wanted to be the next Manuwai, the next Jesse Sapolu, the next Joe Onosai," Satele said. "I played with pride. For friends, for family, for my people, for Hawaii. I wanted be the next local boy, next island boy to represent."

In two NFL seasons, Samson has represented well, making 32 starts in 32 games for the Dolphins. (That's 85 in a row dating to UH). It's a direct result of good health, he says, making good use of cold-tubs and whirlpools.

"By the eighth game of my rookie season the old timers made sure I learned a simple lesson," Satele said. "Take care of your body, because your body is your money."

In 2009, after surprisingly being traded during the offseason, Samson will make his money in Oakland, competing for playing time with 12-year veteran John Wade.

In 12 days, Satele kicks off his first training camp with the Raiders, and he's told the silver and black that his "Commitment to Excellence" will come with the same nasty mean-streak that he's always played with.

"I'm going in with a big chip on my shoulder, Satele said.

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Find out what it means to me.

"When I put my helmet on, when the lights go on, I will be a Warrior."

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Robert Kekaula is sports director at KITV and the radio color man for UH football. Rob DeMello is a reporter and weekend anchor at KITV. Tomorrow we unveil No. 13. See starbulletin.com for more on "The Centurions."

High impact from low-key 'V'

By Ben Nishimoto

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jul 12, 2009

There are things you need to know about Vince Manuwai, but don't expect to hear them from him.

The recipient of numerous accolades, Manuwai lacks the bravado of an athlete who, during his career at Hawaii, was among the nation's most proficient offensive lineman.

After graduating from the Skippa Diaz School of Hard Knocks at Farrington, Manuwai played guard for the Warriors from 1999 to 2002, de-cleating linemen on his way to earning first-team All-America honors his senior year -- one of only five University of Hawaii players ever to do so. A pillar of stability, Manuwai didn't allow a sack in his last 35 games as a Warrior.

June Jones once said Manuwai could have made his Atlanta Falcons squad as an 18-year-old freshman. Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh once called him the best interior lineman he's ever coached at Hawaii. And his current coach, the Jacksonville Jaguars' Jack Del Rio, called him a Pro Bowl-caliber left guard.

Said Diaz: "He puts on his blinders. He bites down. He gets to work."

Manuwai's introduction to organized football was a rude one. As a young boy, he was too big to play Pop Warner, so he started playing basketball, which he continued to play through high school.

Current Farrington football coach Randall Okimoto remembers watching a high school basketball game in which Manuwai was playing. After a hard foul, a fight broke out. The benches cleared, and fists flew. Manuwai, who was on the court when the scuffle started, walked in the opposite direction of his teammates, sitting down on his team's suddenly empty bench.

"That was a real sight. I won't forget that," said Okimoto. "He wanted a chance to play football in college and didn't want anything he did to jeopardize that."

Manuwai stayed out of trouble and, after starring on the offensive line for the Governors, accepted a scholarship from then-first-year head coach June Jones, becoming a part of Jones' first recruiting class.

"He would pancake guys with the strike of his hand. He had the best punch I've ever seen," said Brian Smith, Manuwai's former teammate and current Hawaii assistant coach. Smith now shows Manuwai's sophomore highlight tape to his players.

So powerful were his punches that sometimes even his opponents were incredulous.

According to Cavanaugh, during a television timeout in Hawaii's home matchup with Alabama in 2002, a Crimson Tide defensive lineman who had battled Manuwai all night called him over and asked him how much he bench-pressed. When Manuwai told him he benched around 500 pounds, the lineman swore Manuwai could lift more.

With every pancake, national attention increased. Coaches, teammates and eventually pro scouts raved about his athleticism and technique. The "V-Man 65" campaign, concocted by the Hawaii athletic department, gave the quiet giant enough exposure to be named to the CNN/Sports Illustrated All-America first team.

But Manuwai was never one to bask in the spotlight. He doesn't show his awards to anyone, not even to his children.

"I never thought I had to express what I got," he said. "There's no reason to parade it around. I don't want to show anyone up."

The reason behind such modesty? Maybe it was growing up in Kuhio Park Terrace. Maybe it was playing for Diaz at Farrington, where Manuwai still remembers the stench of his hand-me-down practice jersey. Maybe it was Cavanaugh, who constantly reminded his players that jobs pumping gas were waiting for them if they didn't fully commit to school and football.

Or maybe for Manuwai it was as simple as putting on blinders, biting down, and working hard.

Because at every step, Manuwai eyed the next.

The Jaguars, under new head coach Del Rio, used the 73rd overall pick on Manuwai in the 2003 draft. He went on to start 78 of his first 79 games in the league before spending all of last year inactive after tearing two ligaments in his right knee in the season opener.

But like the workhorse he is, Manuwai dropped 30 pounds this offseason and is poised to reclaim his starting position on the Jaguars' offensive line.

His rise from KPT to the NFL is certainly an improbable one. Manuwai knows where he came from. That's why he gives back.

Shortly after Manuwai signed his first pro contract, he called his former assistant coach and current Farrington athletic director, Harold Tanaka.

"He said he wanted to donate to our (football) program," Tanaka said. "I told him no, not yet. I wanted him to take care of himself first."

After signing his second contract a couple of years ago, Manuwai called Tanaka again asking if he could give.

"Of course I said yes," Tanaka said.

But when Tanaka tried to organize a school assembly in appreciation, Manuwai shot the idea down.

"I said 'hell no,'" Manuwai said. "I wasn't doing it to get my name out."

Manuwai's giving to Farrington again this year, and Tanaka is looking forward to using the donation to buy new football helmets.

"I know what it's like running out with a new helmet on. They should too," Manuwai said.

Manuwai is back in Hawaii now, resting a bit before the NFL season starts. In fact, today he celebrates his 29th birthday.

So if you happen to see him from afar, be cool. A simple tip of your cap will suffice.

After all, he's not looking to be recognized, but deserves to be acknowledged.

UH signs Sapolu's son

By Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.com Editor

London Sapolu, the son of one of the greatest University of Hawai'i football players, has accepted a scholarship from the Warriors.

Sapolu will play his sophomore season at Orange Coast Community College, then transfer to UH in January. He will have two seasons of NCAA eligibility.

Sapolu, who is 6 feet 1 and 295 pounds, played defensive tackle last season. He will start at center this season.

Sapolu turned down an offer from Tennessee, opting to follow in the cleats of his father, Jesse Sapolu.

"I had other options, but after sitting down with my family and my dad — and being half Samoan and half Hawaiian — everybody thought I would be more comfortable in Hawai'i," London Sapolu said.

Jesse Sapolu said: "I'm happy he's going to become a Warrior. I think Hawai'i will be a more comfortable atmosphere for him. I always wanted at least one of my sons to go to my alma mater. I'm happy they're representing the name."

London Sapolu said he did not realize that his father was a football legend "until after he retired from football."

Jesse Sapolu won four Super Bowl championships with the San Francisco 49ers.

London Sapolu said he was "4 or 5" when his father won his last Super Bowl ring.

"They still tell me a story about how they wanted to take me to a Super Bowl, but I told them I'd rather stay in the hotel and watch the Power Rangers," London said, laughing.

Jesse Sapolu said his son "is going to surprise a lot of people. In my opinion, he's a pretty good player."

London Sapolu plays guitar and 'ukulele. He also designs and administers tattoos. He owns his own tattoo machine. But like a skinny chef, he said, "My dad doesn't want me to have any (tattoos)."

He received his unique name from a city where his father played two NFL exhibition games. Because two elder siblings have names beginning with "L," he said, "My mom said, 'it's either London or Larry.' "

Now, it's his hope, he will both carry on and make a name at UH.