2021 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team

2021 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football
2021 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football
Conference	Mountain West Conference
Record	0–0 (0–0 MW)
Head coach	Todd Graham (2nd season);
Offensive coordinator	Bo Graham (1st as coordinator, 2nd overall season)
Offensive scheme	Run and gun
Defensive coordinator	Victor Santa Cruz (2nd season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Jacob Yoro (2nd as coordinator, 5th overall season)
Base defense	3–2–6 hybrid defense
Home stadium	Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex ; (Capacity: 15,000)
	Seasons ← 2020 2022 →

2021 Mountain West Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Mountain Division
No. 24 Utah State xy$	6	–	2	11	–	3
Air Force x	6	–	2	10	–	3
Boise State	5	–	3	7	–	5
Wyoming	2	–	6	7	–	6
Colorado State	2	–	6	3	–	9
New Mexico	1	–	7	3	–	9
West Division
No. 25 San Diego State xy	7	–	1	12	–	2
Fresno State	6	–	2	10	–	3
Nevada	5	–	3	8	–	5
Hawaii	3	–	5	6	–	7
San Jose State	3	–	5	5	–	7
UNLV	2	–	6	2	–	10
Championship: Utah State 46, San Diego State 13
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

The 2021 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team represents the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rainbow Warriors will play their games on campus at the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex as members of the Mountain West Conference.^[1] They will be led by second-year head coach Todd Graham.

Previous season

The Rainbow Warriors finished the 2020 season 5–4 overall and 4–4 in Mountain West conference play. They accepted an invite to play in the New Mexico Bowl against the University of Houston, where they defeated Houston by a score of 28–14.^[2]

Offseason

2021 recruiting class

The Rainbow Warriors have signed eight recruits out of high school as of February 3, 2021.

College recruiting information (2021)
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Nate Adams OL	Flower Mound, TX	Flower Mound High School	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	320 lb (150 kg)	Jan 8, 2021
Nate Adams OL	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 72
Joshua Bertholette LB	New Orleans, LA	Landry-Walker High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	210 lb (95 kg)	Aug 5, 2020
Joshua Bertholette LB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 72
Jordan Johnson RB	Dallas, TX	Allen High School	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Jul 14, 2020
Jordan Johnson RB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 72
Tariq Jones DL	New Orleans, LA	McDonogh 35 High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	230 lb (100 kg)	Aug 25, 2020
Tariq Jones DL	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 71
Ty Marsh DB	Dallas, TX	Denton Ryan High School	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Jan 27, 2021
Ty Marsh DB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 77
Brayden Schager QB	Dallas, TX	Highland Park High School (TX)	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	200 lb (91 kg)	Jul 18, 2020
Brayden Schager QB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 73
Sonny Semeatu LB	Tfuna, America Samoa	Mililani High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	Jun 22, 2020
Sonny Semeatu LB	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 70
Zhen-Keith Sotelo DL	Waianae, HI	Kapolei High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	270 lb (120 kg)	Feb 3, 2021
Zhen-Keith Sotelo DL	Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 75
Matangi Thompson DB	Honolulu, HI	Punahou School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Feb 3, 2021
Matangi Thompson DB	Star ratings: Rivals: N/A 247Sports:
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Rivals commits". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 13, 2021. "ESPN commits". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 13, 2021. "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 13, 2021. "247Sports commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved January 13, 2021.

Transfers

Outgoing

Name	No.	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	New school
Bubba Waʻa	67	OL	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	295 pounds (134 kg)	Freshman	Hauʻula, Hawaii	Texas State
Zach Bowers	56	LB	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	215 pounds (98 kg)	Freshman	Chandler, Arizona
Lincoln Victor	85	WR	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	165 pounds (75 kg)	Sophomore	Camas, Washington	Washington State
Miles Reed	4	RB	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)	190 pounds (86 kg)	Junior	Corona, California
Mason Vega	43	DL	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	275 pounds (125 kg)	Senior	Rancho Cucamonga, California

Incoming

Name	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown	Prev. school
Colby Burton	DB	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	180 pounds (82 kg)	Senior	League City, Texas	McNeese State
Solomon Turner	LB	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	230 pounds (100 kg)	Freshman	Frisco, Texas	Baylor
Kolby Wyatt	TE	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	240 pounds (110 kg)	Junior	San Diego, California	Georgia
Zacchaeus McKinney	DL	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	300 pounds (140 kg)	Junior	Weatherford, Texas	Oklahoma
Arnold Azunna	DB	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	200 pounds (91 kg)	Senior	Grand Prairie, Texas	Iowa State
Hugh Nelson II	DB	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	198 pounds (90 kg)	Sophomore	Powder Springs, Georgia	Georgia
Dedrick Parson	RB	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)	195 pounds (88 kg)	Junior	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	Howard
Caleb Phillips	TE	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)	230 pounds (100 kg)	Senior	San Diego, California	Stanford
Pita Tonga	DL	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	310 pounds (140 kg)	Senior	Taylorsville, Utah	Utah
O'Tay Baker	DL	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	250 pounds (110 kg)	Junior	Mesquite, Texas	Tyler JC

Staff departures

Name	Position	New Program	New Position	Notes
Matt Passwaters	Graduate assistant	North Texas	Defensive line coach	^[3]
Josh Omura	Director of on-campus recruiting	Washington State	Director of transfer recruiting	^[4]
Brennan Marion	Wide receivers coach	Pittsburgh	Wide receivers coach	^[5]
G. J. Kinne	Offensive coordinator	UCF	Co-offensive coordinator	^[6]

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order they were released

Award	Player	Position	Year

To be announced in July.

Mountain West media days

The Mountain West media days will be held in July.

Media poll

The preseason media poll will be released at Mountain West media days in July.

Preseason All-Mountain West Team

The preseason All-Mountain West team will be announced at Mountain West media days in July.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site
August 28	at UCLA*	Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA
September 4	Portland State*	Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex Honolulu, HI
September 11	at Oregon State*	Reser Stadium Corvallis, OR
September 18	San Jose State	CEFCU Stadium San Jose, CA
September 25	at New Mexico State*	Aggie Memorial Stadium Las Cruces, NM
October 2	Fresno State	Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex Honolulu, HI
October 16	at Nevada	Mackay Stadium Reno, NV
October 23	New Mexico State*	Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex Honolulu, HI
October 30	at Utah State	Maverik Stadium Logan, UT
November 6	San Diego State	Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex Honolulu, HI
November 13	at UNLV	Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas, NV
November 20	at Colorado State	Canvas Stadium Fort Collins, CO
November 27	at Wyoming	War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY (Paniolo Trophy Game)
*Non-conference game

Source: ^[7]

Roster

2021 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team roster

Players

Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name
RB	`0`	Dae Dae Hunter
WR	`3`	Melquise Stovall
WR	`6`	Zion Bowens
RB, WR	`7`	Calvin Turner
WR	`9`	Jonah Panoke
WR	`10`	Quin Bright
QB	`11`	Justin Uahinui
QB	`12`	Chevan Cordeiro
QB	`13`	Jake Farrell
WR	`14`	James Phillips
QB	`16`	Armani Edden
QB	`18`	Boone Abbott
QB	`19`	Kamaliʻi Akina
WR	`23`	Jared Smart
RB	`27`	Koali Nishigaya
WR	`28`	Aaron Cephus
WR	`31`	Jaden Allen
RB	`35`	Hekili Keliiliki
RB	`36`	Kenneth Fitzgerald
RB	`38`	Keliam Brunn
OL	`40`	Sergio Muasau
OL	`52`	Solo Vaipulu
OL	`53`	Ramsey Aviu
OL	`58`	Joey Nuʻuanu-Kuhiʻiki
OL	`61`	Eliki Tanuvasa
OL	`63`	Taaga Tuulima
OL	`64`	Kauka Umiamaka
OL	`65`	Elias Wong
OL	`68`	Ra Elkington
OL	`70`	Arasi Mose
OL	`71`	Micah Vanterpool
OL	`72`	Kohl Levao
OL	`74`	Gene Pryor
OL	`75`	Ilm Manning
OL	`76`	Michael Eletise
OL	`77`	Alesania Sunia
OL	`78`	Ernest Moore
OL	`79`	Micah Soliai Howlett
WR	`80`	Mekel Ealy
WR	`81`	Grey Ihu
WR	`82`	Dayton Toney
WR	`83`	Kahale Huddleston
WR	`84`	Nick Mardner
WR	`85`	Lincoln Victor
WR	`86`	Riley Wilson
WR	`87`	Kaleb Maresh
WR	`87`	Dior Scott
WR	`88`	Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala
OL	`89`	Caden Hilborn
WR		Kilohana Haasenritter

Defense

Pos.	#	Name
LB	`1`	Penei Pavihi
LB	`2`	Jeremiah Pritchard
DB	`5`	Khoury Bethley
DB	`8`	Eugene Ford
DL	`10`	Mark Blocker II
DB	`11`	Sterlin Ortiz
DB	`13`	Jalen Perdue
LB	`15`	Paul Scott
DB	`16`	Logan Taylor
LB	`17`	Isaiah Tufaga
DB	`18`	Cortez Davis
DB	`19`	Quentin Frazier
DB	`20`	Cameron Lockridge
DB	`21`	Michael Washington
DB	`24`	Kai Kaneshiro
DB	`25`	Travon Killins
DB	`26`	Leonard Lee
DB	`28`	Nalu Emerson
DB	`29`	Donovan Dalton
DL	`30`	Kamuela Borden
DB	`31`	Tiger Peterson
DB	`33`	Steven Fiso
DB	`34`	James Green III
DB	`37`	Alakaʻi Mashima
DB	`39`	Kalamaku Kuewa
DL	`42`	Jonah Kahahawai-Welch
LB	`45`	Payton Awaya
LB	`46`	Tauivi Ho Ching
DB	`47`	Noa Kamana
DL	`48`	Derek Thomas
DB	`49`	Asher Pilanca
DL	`50`	Justus Tavai
DL	`51`	Makai Manuwai
DL	`52`	Ezra Evaimalo
LB	`53`	Darius Muasau
DL	`54`	Kalani Kamakawiwoʻole
DL	`55`	Blessman Taʻala
DL	`57`	Samson Siilata
LB	`58`	Kila Kamakawiwoʻole
DL	`59`	Andrew Choi
DL	`71`	Stephan Bernal-Wendt
DL	`73`	Johnny Morrison
DL	`90`	John Tuitupou
DL	`91`	Gabriel Iniguez Jr.
DL	`92`	DJuan Matthews
DL	`93`	Mason Mataafa
DL	`94`	Alema Kapoi
DL	`95`	Doug Russell
DL	`95`	Kemon Smith
DL	`96`	Maurice Taʻala
LB	`97`	Zach Ritner
DL	`98`	Foi Shaw
DL	`99`	Jonah Laulu

Special teams

Pos.	#	Name
PK	`1`	Matthew Shipley
P	`12`	Stan Gaudion
PK	`30`	Kaʻeo Rezentes
LS	`44`	Wyatt Tucker
PK, P	`69`	Ben Falck
P, PK	`96`	Adam Stack

Head coach

Todd Graham (East Central)

Coordinators/assistant coaches

Trent Figg (William Jewell)
Associate Head Coach/Defensive Assistant
Victor Santa Cruz (Hawaiʻi)
Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers
Danny Phillips (Central Oklahoma)
Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Line
Bo Graham (Tulsa)
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Jacob Yoro (Hawaiʻi)
Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Sam Bennett (Texas Tech)
Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line
Abe Elimimian (Hawaiʻi)
Cornerbacks/Recruiting Coordinator
Marcus Davis (Auburn)
Wide Receivers
Laiu Moeakiola (Arizona State)
Safeties

Support staff

Kody Cooke (Tulsa)
Strength & Conditioning Coach/Assistant Head Coach
Landon Keopple (Tulsa)
Director of Recruiting

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Redshirt

Game summaries

at UCLA

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at UCLA Bruins

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0
Bruins	0	0	0	0	0

at Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA

Date: August 28, 2021

Portland State

Portland State Vikings at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	0	0	0	0
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0

at Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, HI

Date: September 4, 2021

at Oregon State

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Oregon State Beavers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0
Beavers	0	0	0	0	0

at Reser Stadium, Corvallis, OR

Date: September 11, 2021

at New Mexico State

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at New Mexico State Aggies

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0
Aggies	0	0	0	0	0

at Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, NM

Date: September 25, 2021

New Mexico State

New Mexico State Aggies at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Aggies	0	0	0	0	0
Rainbow Warriors	0	0	0	0	0

at Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, HI

Date: October 23, 2021

References

^ "UH Athletics Prepares to Play Football On-Campus in 2021". University of Hawaii at Manoa Athletics. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
^ "Hawaii beats Houston in New Mexico Bowl, gifts first-year coach 100th win". USA Today. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
^ "North Texas football announces new assistant coaching hires". North Texas Daily. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
^ Josh Omura [@CoachOmura] (February 5, 2021). "Thank you for everything Hawaii" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
^ Bruce Feldman [@BruceFeldmanCFB] (February 15, 2021). "SOURCES: #Hawaii receivers coach Brennan Marion is leaving to become the WR coach at #Pitt" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
^ "UH offensive coordinator GJ Kinne to join staff at UCF". KHON2. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
^ "2021 Football Schedule". University of Hawaii at Manoa Athletics. Retrieved 13 January 2021.

[1] "UH Athletics Prepares to Play Football On-Campus in 2021". University of Hawaii at Manoa Athletics. Retrieved 13 January 2021.

[2] "Hawaii beats Houston in New Mexico Bowl, gifts first-year coach 100th win". USA Today. Retrieved 13 January 2021.

[3] "North Texas football announces new assistant coaching hires". North Texas Daily. Retrieved 5 February 2021.

[4] Josh Omura [@CoachOmura] (February 5, 2021). "Thank you for everything Hawaii" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

[5] Bruce Feldman [@BruceFeldmanCFB] (February 15, 2021). "SOURCES: #Hawaii receivers coach Brennan Marion is leaving to become the WR coach at #Pitt" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

[6] "UH offensive coordinator GJ Kinne to join staff at UCF". KHON2. Retrieved 22 February 2021.

[7] "2021 Football Schedule". University of Hawaii at Manoa Athletics. Retrieved 13 January 2021.

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v t e Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football
Venues	Moiliili Field (1911–1926) Honolulu Stadium (1926–1974) Aloha Stadium (1975–2020) Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex (2021–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Air Force Fresno State San Jose State: Dick Tomey Legacy Game Wyoming
Culture & lore	Vili The Warrior Marching band
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1909 1910 1911 1912–1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942–1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024