Monday, August 27, 2001
[ UH WARRIOR FOOTBALL ]
Not just joking COURT jester at Iolani is a tough position. Class clown at Mike Cavanaugh's School For Future NFL Linemen can be a challenge, too.
At 335 pounds, Hawaii tackle
Uriah Moenoa takes himself lightlyBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comBut Hawaii's Uriah Moenoa is capable of both.
He made it through one of the state's most academically demanding high schools with good marks and test scores, cracking the books and cracking up his friends.
"He was a smart kid and a big, jovial, happy-go-lucky guy," said his high school coach, Wendell Look. "He was a nice kid, very respectful, but every once in awhile he needed a boost in the backside."
Now, the redshirt freshman tackle is at UH and ready to begin a journey that he hopes ends the same way it did for former Warrior linemen Adrian Klemm, Kaulana Noa and Kynan Forney -- a life in the NFL. He does it with a giggle and a purpose.
Even during the heat of two-a-days last week in the quarry, Moenoa laughed as much as he sweat, getting his jokes in as he and the other giants destroyed the blocking sled with perfect technique.
"Trust the technique" is Cavanaugh's mantra.
The drill sergeant/stand-up comic hybrid doesn't mind if you have fun doing it. But above all else, "Trust the technique."
Moenoa does. That's why he will probably start when UH opens its season Sept. 8 against Montana on Maui.
"You have no choice but to buy in, if you want to play," Moenoa said.He's the new kid on the line. Moenoa's at right tackle, the spot previously held by Forney, now of the Atlanta Falcons.
"He's a freshman and he broke into a veteran line. He had to grow up fast. Kynan left and he's been up to the challenge," right guard Vince Manuwai said. "I told him last year to watch Kynan and make sure he learns from him. He did that.
"Uriah's a funny guy, but when it comes time to be serious he's serious."
Moenoa, standing a few feet away, decides this is one of those times to be "serious." He glares at Manuwai, hands on hips, and says, "What are you talking about. Don't insult me. I'm ALWAYS serious."
"See, there he goes," Manuwai said. "He's so funny he makes acting serious funny. He'll joke about anything -- about himself, about his weight. We add our two cents in. If you can't beat him, might as well join him."
The weight is an area where Cavanaugh really wants the 6-foot-3, 335-pound Moenoa to keep things light.
Mo' about Moenoa
Born: April 8, 1982 in Honolulu
Parents: Luisa and Feuseu Moenoa
High school: Earned four letters each in football and track and field and one in wrestling at Iolani School
Honors: Named all-state and all-league in football
"I'd like him to get down to about 310, even 305, try to redistribute," Cavanaugh said. " I think he lifted pretty good this summer, but he didn't condition the way he should have and a lot of times that comes with a lack of maturity."
Eating isn't the problem, Moenoa said.
"I'm not really on any diet, unless you consider running my butt off every day a diet," he said.
Moenoa nearly went to Colorado instead of Hawaii. Oregon was also in the picture.
"At first I wanted to go to the mainland, because I'd lived there and liked it," said Moenoa, who once called Oceanside, Calif., home. "Then I saw what Coach Cav and Coach Jones had going on here, and I wanted to be a part of it. They convinced me. I know they can get me where I want to be in a few years."
Jones made a special effort to secure Moenoa because he and Cavanaugh considered him the best lineman in the state in the class of 1999.
"I know he made the right decision. We're glad that he stayed. He's got great feet and he's got natural ability as an offensive lineman," Jones said. "We've already proven that coming here helps you in the National Football League. So any kid who has that potential, this is a place he needs to consider."
Cavanaugh and Manuwai think Moenoa will grow into a leadership role.
"He gets me laughing all the time. He has a lot of wisecracks. He's so quick. He always has a remark or comeback," Cavanaugh said. "He's a down-to-business guy when it's time to be down to business. He just needs to continue to work hard to fine-tune his technique. He could be a four-year starter here. It could happen for him down the road."
Said Manuwai: "He's funny, but now he has to get serious. Hopefully, he starts those four years, and he passes things on to the next young guys."
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