Big Daddy bulks up

The defensive tackle has become a formidable presence

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Josh Leonard turned in his most productive game as a Hawaii football player last Saturday.

Warriors Football Hawaii (1-1) at Oregon State (0-2) 10 a.m. Saturday (Hawaii time) TV: PPV Ch. 255

But his game-ball worthy performance against Weber State doesn't rank as the most momentous night of his Warrior career. That distinction still belongs to last season's game against Charleston Southern.

Leonard played that night with his fiancee in the crowd, due to deliver the couple's first child at any moment.

"During the whole game I was making sure she was still in the stands but trying to keep my head in the game," Leonard recalled. "Then right after the game we went to Kaiser and she gave birth (the next day)."

Now, 11 months later, with his son Blayne now toddling around the practice field, Leonard heads into Saturday's game at Oregon State as a central figure on the Warriors' defensive front.

A defensive end in junior college, the senior tackle recorded a career-high eight stops, including three for losses, against Weber State.

"He's really built his power and really built himself into a legitimate defensive tackle," Hawaii coach Greg McMackin said.

The Warriors (1-1) depart for Oregon after tomorrow's practice and face the Beavers (0-2) on Saturday at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, where OSU has won 24 consecutive nonconference games.

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The Hawaii football team's 7 a.m. pre-practice meeting is still 4 hours away and Josh Leonard's day has already begun.

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"It's nice waking up as long as he's smiling," the Warrior defensive tackle said yesterday, his 11-month-old son, Blayne, peering out of the stroller at his side.

The pre-dawn wake-ups are a part of life for young parents, and after a month and a half apart from his family, Leonard doesn't mind sacrificing a few hours of sleep.

The senior was reunited with Blayne and fiancee Christa Sariaba last week and enters Saturday's game at Oregon State coming off his most productive game as a Warrior.

Leonard was awarded the defensive game ball after posting a career-high eight tackles, including five solo stops, in last week's 36-17 win over Weber State. His three tackles for losses against the Wildcats surpassed his total of 21/2 last season.

Leonard's play in the middle of the Warrior line contributed to a defensive effort that limited Weber State to 72 yards after halftime and a total of minus-20 rushing yards.

"I was really excited about him," UH coach Greg McMackin said. "He and Keala (Watson) both played the tackle (positions) like it needs to be played as far as getting a second line of scrimmage. He came off the ball well and was very powerful.

"He was all over the place. He's in great shape and he's a class act and I'm really happy to see him doing well."

Leonard planned on playing defensive end when he transferred to UH from Sierra (Calif.) College last year. He ended up moving inside and spent the offseason bulking up from 270 pounds to 300 to handle the double teams the tackles face on most snaps.

He was able to maintain his speed while packing on the weight, but attributes his progress more to his newfound comfort at tackle.

"I'd say the confidence alone makes me a hundred percent better, knowing I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing," said Leonard, who led the team with three fumble recoveries and blocked a field goal against Washington last season. "You're just reacting, you're not thinking or anything."

Leonard and Watson lead a group of defensive tackles thinned by injuries heading into the game at Oregon State.

Senior Fale Laeli will miss the game due to a high ankle sprain he suffered last week. A torn tricep has kept junior Rocky Savaiigaea out of action since early in fall camp but he should return after UH's bye next week.

Freshman Vaughn Meatoga and junior Tuika Tufaga could play more prominent roles in the rotation this week in relief of Leonard and Watson.

While Leonard solidified his place in the starting unit in fall camp, his thoughts often drifted to the mainland.

With Leonard sequestered with the team on campus during camp, Christa and Blayne stayed with family members in Sacramento until the Warriors returned from their season-opening trip to Florida. They also visited Christa's family in Pennsylvania for two weeks, the 6-hour time difference making it even tougher to keep in contact.

"It's definitely good to have them back, makes everything a lot easier," Leonard said.

"It was something special to see my son again. He's changed a lot in that month and a half."

Christa and Blayne are now regulars at the Warriors' practices and the toddler's growth hasn't gone unnoticed by others at the field as well.

"(Leonard's) got a little son that's a stud. I'm going to start recruiting him right now," McMackin said. "He's right with (former UH lineman) Mike Lafaele's son. Those are going to be my two defensive tackles 16 years from now."