Manley goes to NMSU

Below is Wes Nakama’s article from yesterday’s Honolulu Advertiser. What the article does not mention is the fact that UH is loaded with QBs and based on needs can only allot one scholarship for that position. In August the coaching staff contacted all the QB prospects and told them that they were only going to take 1 QB this year and the first one who signs would get that scholarship. Being the only local prospect, Manley was contacted first but he told UH that he wanted to wait and explore is other options. Kevin Spain was next and he jumped at the chance and immediately accepted.

Two years ago Manley was a top prospect. Many projected him as a 4-5 star however he has improved very little since his sophmore season and it was a good thing that he did not accept in August and again after the season when UH offered him a gray-shirt. Manley has a big arm but his poor footwork and lack of mobility are big concerns. He also throws too many interceptions at the highschool level and that means he is a major project for the R & S. Mac needs players that can contribute immediately and has no time for players that may take 3-4 years to develop.

Honolulu Advertiser Article on 12/22/09

Leilehua quarterback Andrew Manley, who just completed one of the most celebrated high school football careers in recent Hawai'i history, said yesterday he has made a verbal commitment to play for New Mexico State University.


Manley, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound strong-armed right-hander, told The Advertiser he gave his commitment to New Mexico State head coach DeWayne Walker while watching Saturday's Dallas Cowboys-New Orleans game on TV.

"I was talking to (Aggies) defensive line coach Jesse Williams and he said I could come in and compete for the starting quarterback job," Manley said. "I said I was ready to commit, and he put (Walker) on the phone."

Manley said it was the only scholarship offer he received for next season.
He said Hawai'i offered him a chance to attend classes part time in the fall (paying his own way and not playing football) with the possibility of receiving a full scholarship in January 2011 — a process called "grayshirting" — but he opted to take New Mexico State's immediate scholarship offer instead.

"UH wanted me to grayshirt, but there's no guarantee with that and I could end up with nothing," Manley said. "New Mexico State had been talking to me the past couple weeks, since the (Hawai'i/Polynesia vs. Mainland) all-star game, and I liked what they offered. I thought it would be the best for me."

Manley burst on to the local football scene two years ago, when he was called up from the JV during the O'ahu Interscholastic Association playoffs and led Leilehua to five straight victories, including the school's first state championship.

2009 UH Season Recap

Hawaii’s 51-10 loss to Wisconsin was disappointing and down right embarrassing. Warrior fans knew Wisconsin would be tough but never thought the score would end up as it did last Saturday. Hawaii was completely dominated in all phases and the difference in talent was clearly exposed for millions to see on ESPN2. Making matters worse, the team did not show up and started off flat from the beginning. Coach Mac’s decision to have seniors greet their parents before the game showed poor judgment and could have been the reason for the team’s abysmal start.

In the past Hawaii always gave power house opponents like Wisconsin a run for their money in Aloha Stadium and on rare occasions even pulled out a stunning victory. This year’s team bucked past history and seemed to shrink in the face of adversity with the Navy game being the only exception and bright spot. The 2009 Warriors can best be described as an average team that found a way to underachive.

Now that the 2009 season is finally over, Coach Mac and his staff can devote all energies to recruiting. National Letter of Intent Day is right around the corner and UH must bring in impact players. The defense has major holes to fill and the offensive line needs to be completely rebuilt. QB is also an issue because 5’8” Bryant Moniz is clearly not the answer. His sling-shot arm and short stature are not the most desireable attributes for a successful R & S QB. Hopefully in 2010, Mac will open up the competition and give someone else a fair shot at the position. Last year he locked the position to Greg Alexander and that was a big mistake as Moniz proved to be futher ahead in his grasp of the offense. The Warriors must also an upgrade the receiver position and bring in speed to compliment the slow possession types currently on the roster. Whoever Mac ends up bringing in this recruiting season must be able to contribute immediately. This means the bulk of the recruits should be Jucos. Mac cannot mess around with highschool players because he may not have the time to develop them. Next year is a make or break season and the odds are stacked against him.

This is why the program is regressing. By evaluating the returning players it is clearly evident that Hawaii suffers from a Lack of Talent (LOT). Good teams reload, average teams rebuild, and declining teams need major overhauls. UH is somethere between 2 and 3.

Below is a list of returners that have D1 level ability:

Offense

QB – Maybe Freshman Cayman Shutter

HB – Alex Green (if he learns how to block)

Offensive line – Laupepa Letuli (if he is granted an extra year)

WR – Greg Salas


Defense

DE – Paipai Falemalu/Liko Satele

DT – Vaughn Maetoga

LB – Brashton Satele – (if he is granted an extra year), George Daily-Lyles maybe

DB – Spencer Smith, Jeremy Bryant, Kawika Ornellas

The list is not long at all and that is why Hawaii fans are deeply concerned. The Hawaii roster is mainly made up of sub D1 talent and walk-ons and it not only shows in the team’s on-field performane but also in the jerseys that look strangely similar to that of FCS Portland State. In two short years, Mac has managed to tranform gold into lead taking a BCS buster team to the verge of simply busting. Let’s hope Mac proves us wrong and turns this thing around. All Hawaii fans need is another Von Mackin; sorry I mean Von Appen.

Wisconsin

Four weeks ago, Hawaii was 2-6 and coming off a 6 game losing streak. If you asked anyone back then about the Warrior’s chances for a Hawaii Bowl, they would have laughed and thought you were crazy for even asking the question. But the team has somehow managed to turn things around and the Warriors are now one game away from a Hawaii Bowl appearance on Christmas.

Last Saturday’s victory over Navy was very impressive. For once in the McMackin era, the team finally had a complete game looking solid in all three phases. If not for Jackson’s fumble, Kia’s usual penalty, and the dumb decision by McMackin to go for it on 4th and 1 on the Navy 20, the game would have been error free.

Besides excellent execution, the Warriors had a Navy’s number that night. Many credit the success of defensive scheme to D-Line coach Dave Arranda. According to the Honolulu Advertiser, Arranda enlisted the help of over a dozen coaches throughout the country for advice on stopping the triple option. His dilligent efforts paid off as the Warriors shut out Navy in the second half. The scheme looked very similar to what the Miami Hurricanes used against Georgia Tech earlier in the season.

Hawaii right now is very confident and believes they can beat anybody. Traditionally the Warriors have been great late in the season and this year is turning out to be no exception.
Wisconsin is bigger, more physical, and loaded with better athletes but a hungry Hawaii team at home late in the season is always dangerous. Just ask BYU, Purdue, Northwestern, Alabama, and Michigan State.

The keys for the game are simple. Hawaii must play with the same intensity as it did last week and if they do, things should be very competitive. The O-line like always must protect Moniz. The emergence of Kealoha Pilares will definitely help the offense as Moniz will no longer have rely so heavily on Salas for offensive production. If Wright-Jackson and Green can do their part and get the running game going, Hawaii should be able to hang some points against the Badgers. This game will be close so every point will matter. Hawaii must take easy field goals when they can and not be lured into going for it on 4th down. McMackin needs to coach his “smartest” game of the season and not fall victim to his emotions.

Defensively the team is in for a challenge. Wisconsin has a huge line and big play running back John Clay has the potential to score every time he touches the football. Even though the Warriors appear to be outmatched on Defense, they will be ready schematically and just need to play an intense 60 minutes football. With an emotional head coach, a Hawaii Bowl appearance riding on this game and a packed Aloha Stadium, maintaining the intensity should not be a problem.

This week looks to be very interesting especially since the Badgers are coming off a very disappointing season. Beginning the year, Wisconsin had Rose Bowl aspirations. Those hopes were dashed with consecutive loses to Ohio State and Iowa and last weeks loss to Northwestern was the nail in the coffin, knocking the Badgers out of the top 25. Now even a mid-level bowl may be in question for this underachieving team. Coach Bilema better have his troops ready this Saturday otherwise their Hawaii vacation may turn into an ambush at Aloha Stadium. Aloha means hello, good bye, and thank you. Hopefully this Saturday it will be Hawaii saying the thank yous.