Meatoga, Manu-Olevao, Lesu, Previews

Jason Kaneshiro writes a great profile of freshman defensive lineman Vaughn Meatoga, who is adjusting well in his first year of college ball.

"I thought it was going to be harder, especially being the rookie here," Meatoga said. "But a lot of the upperclassmen took me under their wing and helped me a lot."

Meatoga, who celebrated his graduation from Kamehameha earlier this summer, got a head start in his immersion into the D-line as a regular at the team's voluntary offseason workouts, where his efforts endeared him to the returnees.

"He's like one of the boys now, we're showing him how things are done," said tackle Mike Lafaele, the defensive front's senior leader. "He's learning real fast."

"I just need to get better habits," Meatoga said. "Something different (from high school) is they expect perfection here. A lot of the upperclassmen have been practicing that for four years and I just need to start as soon as I can perfecting my moves."

He's gonna be a great one!

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Stephen Tsai writes that offensive lineman John Manu-Olevao will delay his enrollment for a year.

Manu-Olevao said he will take some classes at a local college this academic year. If all goes according to plan, he will have four seasons of eligibility.

"This is good," Manu-Olevao said. "It will give me one year to train."

And Elijah Lesu will attend City College of San Francisco this year. Also in the article:

• A profile of kickoff return wedge blockers Jason Laumoli, Brashton Satele and Siave Seti.


• Receiver and kick return Malcolm Lane is more confident.


• Corners Calvin Roberts, Keenan Jones and Jakeem Hawkins will receive extensive practice time today, the first day of full pads.

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And the Nevada Appeal has a good 2007 UH football preview, along with a profile of UH defensive lineman Mike Lafaele.

Time will tell how Lafaele fits with the 4-3, but after one spring in the new system, he likes it.

"I like the new defense," Lafaele said. "In a 3-4, you have to play two gaps. In the 4-3, you only have to play one gap. I should have a lot more fun. It gives me a chance to make more plays at or behind the line."

And that's exactly what defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold expects from him.

"Mike is the undisputed leader of the defensive line," Reinebold said. "He has great work ethic and is coming off a tremendous season. He will be the key to how we do up front."

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And just a reminder that Ashley Lelie, Isaac Sopoaga, Jeff Ulbrich and the 49ers take on Denver in a preseason game on ESPN tonight. Here are a couple recent profiles of Lelie, as he seeks to move past the whole holdout ordeal in Denver a year ago. From the AP. From the Mercury News.

UPDATE: Also forgot to mention that Nate Ilaoa and the Eagles play Baltimore tonight as well. Garret from UH Warrior Quotes sent me this profile of Nate from the Philadelphia Tribune. Thanks G!