Crocs, Pokemon cards and kendamas never go out of style in Hawaii. And neither does the Warriors' four-wide offense, In video sessions with offensive newcomers, receivers coach Jared Ursua shows old footage of the Warriors' passing game. "We've been doing this since January," Ursua said of clips of former UH QBs Dan Robinson, Nick Rolovich, Timmy Chang, Colt Brennan, Bryant Moniz and Cole McDonald. "We are who we are, we do what we do, and this system has always worked." QB1 Micah Alejado has been starring in recent remakes, deciphering defenses ahead of the snap, releasing passes within 2.2 seconds, and throwing to targeted areas on the receivers' routes. "Micah's a special quarterback," said Chang, the UH head coach who calls the offensive plays. "He understands our offense, and he understands what teams are trying to do against us." Ursua has implored the receivers to read the coverages correctly "so Micah can throw at a high level based on our indicators, which is what the run-and-shoot is based off." Alejado has shown toughness, playing through injuries to his right ankle last season. He did not participate in contact drills ahead of the Hawaii Bowl, during which he completed 69.6% of his throws for 274 yards and three TDs. Last season, the Warriors scored on 46.1% of Alejado's full drives. Slotbacks Blaze Kamoku, Tama Uiliata, Audric Harris, Kainoa "Kaikai" Carvalho, ******* an Lacaden and Koa Eldredge are reliable inside receivers. Devin Alves, Tre' Griffiths and Carson Brown are tall and fast wideouts. With running back Landon Sims' graduation, Cam Barfield will get the bulk of the reps. Barfield did not fumble while averaging 9.1 touches as a running back, receiver and returner. Left tackle Boogie Henderson's emergence enabled Dean Briski to move to the right side. At 6-6 and 345 pounds, Oregon transfer Lipe Moala is mobile on pulls.
Three years ago, in his first season as UH's defensive coordinator, Dennis Thurman kept intact the 4-2-5 scheme the Warriors ran under Corey Batoon in 2019 and Jacob Yoro in 2023. In 2024, Thurman incorporated some of the attacking schemes he used when he was an ******* istant coach with the Baltimore Ravens and DC with the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. "Once we clicked his second year, he let it all loose," mike linebacker Wynden Ho'ohuli said of Thurman. Kona Moore, who has overcome a variety of injuries, and Matagi Thompson are succeeding safeties Peter Manuma and Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen. "Main focus is staying healthy," said Moore, who relies on stretching as part of his prehab. Ho'ohuli and Jamih Otis have switched linebacker jobs. Ho'ohuli is now the middle, often working in tandem with nickelback Elijah Palmer. As the renamed dime linebacker, Otis often has isolation ******* ignments, which enable him to use his speed in the flats and to break off for direct aim at running backs. Ho'ohuli and Otis will take turns as play-callers. The Warriors will miss Jackie Johnson III's pass rushing, but Leste