UH's defensive line employed a three-deep rotation last season which allowed numerous players the opportunity for live game action. That tactic benefits the team this season with at least six returning players with extensive playing time.
According to defensive tackles coach Tony Tuioti, success at the defensive end will come with stringing together eight players with the right speed and strength to rotate in.
“The style we want to play is fast, so we're going to try to rotate our guys as much as possible and keep them fresh because we always want to be able to keep pressure on the quarterback and on the running game,” Tuioti said.
Among the key returnees on the line this year is junior
Vaughn Meatoga. Meatoga made eight starts in 11 games played after playing in all 14 games as a redshirt freshman in 2008. His statistics, however, don't even begin to reflect his worth on the defense.
“
Vaughn Meatoga is the leader of our defense,” Tuioti stated. “We've got a lot of players that lead in their own way, but Vaughn is the vocal leader and the heartbeat of the group.”
Along with Meatoga, tackles Haku Correa and Geordon Hanohano provide a solid core to build around. Both were part of the rotation last season, with Hanohano making one start and Correa accumulating two tackles for loss. Kaniela Tuipulotu, a transfer from Arizona, returns to his home state where he was a two-time all-state lineman and one of the state's top prospects coming out of powerhouse Kahuku High School.
There's no lack of experience at the ends with Elliott Purcell and Liko Satele returning. Hampered by nagging injuries in 2009, Purcell started eight games last season and is the unit's top returning tackler with 30. Satele made six starts and amassed 20 tackles including one sack.
Also vying for playing time at end are Mike Maracle and transfers Siaki Cravens and Kamalu Umu. Maracle primarily played on the scout team last season. while Umu, a transfer from Charleston Southern, had a breakthrough spring camp. Sophomore Paipai Falemalu should also see time at both linebacker and end.
“We got great ends with Liko, Elliott, Kamalu and even Paipai rotating in at times,” Tuioti said. “We have some depth that we feel comfortable with.”
That depth was bolstered by the addition of Cravens, a transfer from Long Beach who was recently switched from linebacker to the defensive line.
“Siaki Cravens is probably the head of the pack for the new group that's come out,” Tuioti said. “He's a pure speed-rush defensive end and that's something we needed. In recruiting we looked at defensive line and felt that we needed to improve on our speed and Siaki provides that for us.”
Redshirts David Hafoka, Waylon Lolotai, Zach Masch, and Alema Tachibana are also in the mix this season, as well as transfers Josh Manupuna and Kapono Rawlins-Crivello.
“All these guys are young and anxious to work and help this team in any way they can,” Tuioti said. “The thing I like about this group a lot is that they're all unselfish guys. They want to do whatever they can to help this team win. If they play together, be strong in their depth, responsibility and also pass-rush lanes, we'll be a good defensive front.”
