Rookies making
their marksFreshmen prepare
with veterans for Tuesday's
opening of camp
Abu Ma'afala can look around at the faces of the newcomers dotting the group of Hawaii football players participating in voluntary workouts this summer and know exactly what's running through their minds.
It was just 12 months ago that Ma'afala, fresh off an all-state senior season as a defensive lineman at Kamehameha, was among the freshmen looking to learn the UH schemes and earn the respect of the Warriors' returnees.
"It was tough because you have so much to prove to these guys," Ma'afala said while stretching out before a team workout at the UH practice field. "You have to come out here like you're on a mission, you have to prove to everybody that you belong out here.
"I had to prove that I deserved the scholarship I received, because I had a lot of doubts coming out of high school. When you're a new guy you just have to prove to everybody that you can play."
The Warriors' summer workouts include names already familiar to UH fans, and a few who are looking to win a spot on the depth chart.
With no coaches around, it's up to the veterans to help the newcomers adjust to life at the college level.
"You have to lead by example sometimes and you have to show them how things go around here," said junior receiver Chad Owens. "They can't be acting like kids no more, this isn't high school. You have to mature once you come to this atmosphere. But I think they do a great job of doing that. All these young guys out here are working just as hard as we are and they want to make it."
The Warriors' workouts this summer consist of seven-on-seven drills, with receivers matching up against linebackers and defensive backs. They've also added 11-on-11 drills in which offensive linemen can practice blocking schemes and defensive linemen work on exploding off the snap.
Former Saint Louis receiver Jason Rivers is among the freshmen who have already made an impression on the returnees. Rivers was among the state's most sought-after recruits last spring and his name is high on the list when the veterans talk about possible impact players from this year's freshman class.
"I think he will make some big plays and we need him to make big plays," said senior safety Hyrum Peters. "As the years go by he's going to get better and better and hopefully go to the pros. It looks like he can, he just has to get better and know the offense."
While Rivers had established his reputation as a local high school standout, freshman defensive back Ernest Powell had little fanfare when he arrived from Houston last month.
Powell has been working with the team for nearly two weeks and got everybody's attention in his very first session by intercepting a pass and breaking up two more.
"This one kid came out here and was blowing everybody's mind," Ma'afala said of Powell. "Everybody doesn't expect the newer guys to do as well, but that kid came out and everybody was like, 'Watch out for that kid. Don't fool around with the freshman.' "
Powell said participating in the summer workouts has helped him adjust to the speed of the college game and will help him acclimate to the system once camp officially opens on Tuesday.
"It's good because I got a head start and the players took me in and showed me the ropes," Powell said. "So I have a pretty good idea of how it's going to be."
Said Peters: "It's good for them to come early and get to know the defense and the offense. On both sides you can get lost big time. You have to know what you're doing ... not only your position, but what the line is doing and linebackers."
The newcomers join a deep group of returnees from last year's 10-4 squad. The Warriors are among the favorites to contend for the Western Athletic Conference championship and the expectations have helped fuel the veterans to put in the extra work this summer.
"We have guys who just want to work," Owens said. "The guys that have been coming out know what kind of potential we've got this year and what kind of season we can have. But nothing's going to happen unless you work, and we've got guys who know that."
