Day three of practice from Honolulu saw the teams more focused on their playbooks and running their offense more efficiently. There was also a big change in attitudes following a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center on Wednesday.
Many of the players who have been around the culture still did not know the history and the details of the cultural backgrounds. Many players commented to me that they were really impacted by walking through the center and learning more about the history.
They have heard all of these names, but until they walk around and see the plaques of guys like Jack Thompson and Vai Sikahema; until they see the presentations and learn the history, it seems like just another anecdote in a lifetime filled with such anecdotes.
This was also the day when the brunt of the coverage really begins as the Committee introduces the four finalists for the High School Polynesian Player of the year.
We had the chance to watch both teams work plenty of seven on seven today and the teams are looking much crisper, which is to be expected. If I had to evaluate which team looks more ready, that would be Team Makai (Blue team). They just look more focused and more ready. Their playbook is not as deep as Team Mauka, but they were executing really well for most of the day.
Team Mauka showed the most progress from day one to day three, though, as they were considerably more focused and playing with much more intensity today than the past two days.
The teams held their ‘competition’ moment during the middle of practice and for the first time Team Makai captured an event; it came down to running a quick slant with single coverage. Team Makai completed the pass to capture the rep; had the Mauka defensive back been able to knock down the pass, he would have won the repetition.
In many regards, this competition moment is how the teams can get focused and energized; the winning team after four competition days will get a tremendous bag of ‘swag’ from BodyArmour delivered to their home.
OREGON CONNECTIONS:
- Sean Dollars was much more focused today and is playing well. As I mentioned, he has better speed than any 40-yard time shows and he has good vision on the field. I spoke to Bellotti about all three of the Oregon signees on his team after practice today and he had plenty of good things to say.
- What is interesting is that, for the most part, the staff do not know the names of all the players. There are no jersey numbers and no name tags, so Bellotti told me that he has to wait until someone makes a big play, then ask who it was - but when he does the player sticks out after that.
- Jonah Tauanu'u was still not in full gear, but he is in good shape and has shown well in drills with footwork and good hands.
- Mykael Wright is, once again, one of the better defensive backs out there. He is taking all the first defense reps and has been very strong in coverage. I don't think I have seen a single pass completed against him in the last two days. He is an interesting player; very quiet, not much trash talking, but he just goes out and makes plays.
- Sua'ava Poti is looking good out there. I told the story yesterday about his increased intensity and that has really been something that has stood out. He is barely 17 years old and yet he is seasoned enough to know that he has to stand up for himself and make sure he does not get walked all over.
- Mase Funa arrives today, so we will see if we can talk to him tomorrow.
- Treven Ma'ae has had a good week of practice and is best described as in learning mode. He is going to get plenty of action on Saturday and that will be the first chance to really make an impact on the team. So far his coach Jim Zorn says he is really soaking up some good knowledge, but will need to see him in action Saturday to make a full diagnosis.
- For anyone thinking that Colby Bowman is not a good receiver - think again. He is getting most of the first team reps at wide receiver and looks like the real deal. He has great hands and is the quintessential Stanford wide receiver. That Stanford offer was just one that he was never going to turn down.
- Siaki Ika has had an extremely impressive week and was to the point that he was trash talking Alabama Signee Taulia Tagovailoa after a paly in which the quarterback scrambled to his left and then had the ball slip out of his hands as he tried to get rid of it. Following that, Ika was relentless in his trash talking to the Team Mauka offense.
- I got a couple more interviews today including Puka Nacua. I will get that posted later today. Long story short, Oregon has a real shot to get the talented Orem wide receiver.
- Yes, the staff has been in contact with some Oregon signees and there is a real effort to see if they can add those last pieces.
- Henry To'oto'o is still considering a visit to Oregon. If he does, I will get an update from him and share it with everyone as soon as I can. If he visits, Oregon has a legit chance; but that is a big if.
- I got a really good in-depth exclusive from Mike Bellotti which I will transcribe and have for tomorrow as well. One interesting thing is that his son Sean has been helping all week and he has really enjoyed working with his son coaching all of these young players.
Tomorrow will be a really light practice, not sure that there will be much to report on, but will be at the practice anyway. Hopefully get a couple more interviews.
Many of the players who have been around the culture still did not know the history and the details of the cultural backgrounds. Many players commented to me that they were really impacted by walking through the center and learning more about the history.
They have heard all of these names, but until they walk around and see the plaques of guys like Jack Thompson and Vai Sikahema; until they see the presentations and learn the history, it seems like just another anecdote in a lifetime filled with such anecdotes.
This was also the day when the brunt of the coverage really begins as the Committee introduces the four finalists for the High School Polynesian Player of the year.
We had the chance to watch both teams work plenty of seven on seven today and the teams are looking much crisper, which is to be expected. If I had to evaluate which team looks more ready, that would be Team Makai (Blue team). They just look more focused and more ready. Their playbook is not as deep as Team Mauka, but they were executing really well for most of the day.
Team Mauka showed the most progress from day one to day three, though, as they were considerably more focused and playing with much more intensity today than the past two days.
The teams held their ‘competition’ moment during the middle of practice and for the first time Team Makai captured an event; it came down to running a quick slant with single coverage. Team Makai completed the pass to capture the rep; had the Mauka defensive back been able to knock down the pass, he would have won the repetition.
In many regards, this competition moment is how the teams can get focused and energized; the winning team after four competition days will get a tremendous bag of ‘swag’ from BodyArmour delivered to their home.
OREGON CONNECTIONS:
- Sean Dollars was much more focused today and is playing well. As I mentioned, he has better speed than any 40-yard time shows and he has good vision on the field. I spoke to Bellotti about all three of the Oregon signees on his team after practice today and he had plenty of good things to say.
- What is interesting is that, for the most part, the staff do not know the names of all the players. There are no jersey numbers and no name tags, so Bellotti told me that he has to wait until someone makes a big play, then ask who it was - but when he does the player sticks out after that.
- Jonah Tauanu'u was still not in full gear, but he is in good shape and has shown well in drills with footwork and good hands.
- Mykael Wright is, once again, one of the better defensive backs out there. He is taking all the first defense reps and has been very strong in coverage. I don't think I have seen a single pass completed against him in the last two days. He is an interesting player; very quiet, not much trash talking, but he just goes out and makes plays.
- Sua'ava Poti is looking good out there. I told the story yesterday about his increased intensity and that has really been something that has stood out. He is barely 17 years old and yet he is seasoned enough to know that he has to stand up for himself and make sure he does not get walked all over.
- Mase Funa arrives today, so we will see if we can talk to him tomorrow.
- Treven Ma'ae has had a good week of practice and is best described as in learning mode. He is going to get plenty of action on Saturday and that will be the first chance to really make an impact on the team. So far his coach Jim Zorn says he is really soaking up some good knowledge, but will need to see him in action Saturday to make a full diagnosis.
- For anyone thinking that Colby Bowman is not a good receiver - think again. He is getting most of the first team reps at wide receiver and looks like the real deal. He has great hands and is the quintessential Stanford wide receiver. That Stanford offer was just one that he was never going to turn down.
- Siaki Ika has had an extremely impressive week and was to the point that he was trash talking Alabama Signee Taulia Tagovailoa after a paly in which the quarterback scrambled to his left and then had the ball slip out of his hands as he tried to get rid of it. Following that, Ika was relentless in his trash talking to the Team Mauka offense.
- I got a couple more interviews today including Puka Nacua. I will get that posted later today. Long story short, Oregon has a real shot to get the talented Orem wide receiver.
- Yes, the staff has been in contact with some Oregon signees and there is a real effort to see if they can add those last pieces.
- Henry To'oto'o is still considering a visit to Oregon. If he does, I will get an update from him and share it with everyone as soon as I can. If he visits, Oregon has a legit chance; but that is a big if.
- I got a really good in-depth exclusive from Mike Bellotti which I will transcribe and have for tomorrow as well. One interesting thing is that his son Sean has been helping all week and he has really enjoyed working with his son coaching all of these young players.
Tomorrow will be a really light practice, not sure that there will be much to report on, but will be at the practice anyway. Hopefully get a couple more interviews.
