Five players to watch for as Hawai’i hosts UCLA for first time in 85 years

HONOLULU – The Rainbow Warriors are 1-0 for the first time under Timmy Chang’s leadership. 

Hawai’i returned to the gridiron as one of four games during the Week 0 slate of college football, taking down FCS program Delaware State in the final action of the weekend, 35-14. While the UH offense sputtered in the first half, punt returner Tylan Hines showed off why he was one of the five players to watch in the opening action of the season for the Rainbow Warriors. 

With a win in the back pocket, UH will face an entirely different challenge this weekend as first-year head coach DeShaun Foster brings UCLA to the islands to open the program’s first season as a member of the Big 10. For the Bruins, Saturday marks a measure of expectations in Foster’s first year as they work towards building a conference contender. 

As Hawai’i gets ready to host UCLA in Honolulu for the first time in 85 years, here are five players to watch in the Rainbow Warriors’ Week 1 matchup. 

WR Pofele Ashlock 

Coming off another game of leading Hawai’i in receptions (four of which moved the chains) and yards, Biletnikoff watchlist member Pofele Ashlock is ready to announce himself on the national stage. The sophomore turned in a redshirt freshman campaign that saw him lead all first-year FBS pass catchers in receptions (83) and receiving yards (832) while finishing with the third-most TD catches (8) in the nation. 

Trying to take another step forward as the program’s number one target following the ineligibility issue for star teammate Steven McBride, Ashlock will be looking to perform in one of the few nationally televised games that the Rainbow Warriors will play in this season. The sophomore will see heavy attention every week from opponents’ top defensive backs as a known commodity in an offense that loves to throw the ball.

Hawai’i wide receiver Pofele Ashlock extends the ball after coming one yard short of a touchdown reception against Delaware State. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Against a UCLA defense that lost plenty of talent from an elite group last season, Ashlock should have a chance at producing his usual numbers. For Hawai’i to have any shot against the Big 10’s Bruins, they will need him to show up in a big way. Look for Ashlock to try and improve his stock even more this weekend with one of Hawai’i’s marquee scheduling matchups. 

DT Jamar Sekona 

Formerly of USC, Sekona is one of the few Rainbow Warriors to already get a chance to play against UCLA in their college careers. During the 2021 season, the defensive lineman appeared in 10 games for the Trojans while enjoying his most productive game against the Bruins with three tackles and will look to produce in an even bigger way this weekend. 

The nephew of former NFL defensive lineman and Super Bowl champion Haloti Ngata, Sekona has searched for an opportunity to show off his talents for years at USC before finally deciding to take his final two seasons of eligibility to Hawai’i. After receiving his undergraduate degree from USC, Sekona came to the islands and immediately made an impact in his first game as a Rainbow Warrior with a sack. 

Against a team that is headed by offensive minds in former NFL running back DeShaun Foster and former Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bienemy, it will be vital for Hawai’i’s defensive line to make sure they are felt throughout the day. Sekona finished Week 0 as one of Hawai’i’s top five run defenders and top 10 in pass rush according to Pro Football Focus and will need to have an even bigger impact on Saturday to help UH to an upset bid.

DL Jackie Johnson III 

Keeping it with the defensive line, Jackie Johnson III was the best player on the entire Hawai’i defense in Week 0 according to PFF, posting an incredible 91.6 overall grade for his performance on Saturday. The redshirt junior forced a fumble and had one of the five sacks by the Rainbow Warriors while racking up an impressive five hurries in his 2024 debut. 

One of the most impressive things about Johnson is his relentless motor to get after the quarterback or be involved in a play. For a defensive line that needs more fire and desire on display this season than from recent years, the former Roosevelt Rough Rider is a tone setter that does not only focus on rushing the passer. He was a top three run defender in Week 0 as well for Hawai’i. 

Johnson received rave reviews throughout fall camp from coaches and people associated with the team, finally showing out in his first game of 2024. Look for how he manages against a bigger offensive line from UCLA and a less mobile quarterback in Ethan Garbers. 

CB Cam Stone

The top dog in a loaded defensive backfield for the second straight year, Stone enjoyed a quiet but strong opening game of the season. The senior corner was targeted four times in coverage, breaking up a pass while allowing only six total yards receiving. He added three tackles for good measure as he checked in just below Johnson with an 83.4 overall grade from PFF. 

Stone is a three-time All-Mountain West honorable mention and was named to multiple preseason teams ahead of his final year at Hawai’i. As previously mentioned, former NFL offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy is the current play caller and associate head coach on Foster’s staff at UCLA and will surely have the offense ready to go for the Bruins’ first action of the year. 

With returning standout pass catchers in J. Michael Sturdivant (36 receptions, 597 yards & 4 TDs) and Logan Loya (59 receptions, 633 yards & 5 TDs) waiting across the way, it will be vital for Stone to be the same reliable force in the back end of the defense for Hawai’i against UCLA. 

NB Elijah Palmer 

Palmer missed Week 0’s matchup against Delaware State but was a key piece to Hawai’i’s defense throughout the 2023 season as a true freshman. The Bishop Gorman product appeared in 11 games in his first year out of high school, starting in seven at nickelback for UH and intercepting two passes while finishing fifth on the team with 37 total tackles.  

A Power-4 talent on Hawai’i’s roster, Palmer was a consensus three-star recruit and top five corner in the state of Nevada as part of the 2023 recruiting class for the Rainbow Warriors. He quickly became an important voice on the defensive side of the ball, helping relay some of the defensive calls and hand signals while being a vocal leader pre-snap.

Combined with a talented room and former NFL standout in current defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, the ceiling for Palmer feels like it has been raised even higher. One of those chances for him to show how high the ceiling could be is this weekend against UCLA. In a similar vein to Stone, Palmer needs to be fully ready to go in matchups like this one for Hawai’i’s defense to be successful. 

UCLA comes back with island ties all over

Saturday’s season-opener for the Bruins will also serve as a homecoming for multiple players and coaches on the UCLA roster, including younger brother of University of Hawai’i receiver Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala, Titus.

UCLA WR Titus Mokiao-Atimalala is a Campbell alumnus and the younger brother of Hawai’i WR Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala. | Brian Bautista

Below is a list of the Hawai’i ties up-and-down the UCLA program.

• WR – Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, #2 – R-Jr. (Campbell HS)
• LB – Mone Malafu, #40 – R-Fr. (Kapa’a HS)
• OL – Tavake Tuikolovatu, #56 – R-Fr. (Wailuka, HI, Summit HS [CA])
• DL – Sitiveni Havili Kaufusi, #95 – R-Sr. (Punahou HS)

Coaches –

• Defensive Coordinator Ikaika Malloe (Waimanalo, HI)
• Passing Game Coordinator/Safeties Coach Brian Norwood (4-year letterwinner at University of Hawai’i)