The Top 100: Hawaii’s Greatest Warriors. 11-20
Below is my criteria for this list.
The player must have ended his collegiate career at the University of Hawaii.
Play style, big & consistent play ability along with unmeasurable attributes (heart, will, on-field leadership and character) weighed more then stats.
Stats however were a big measurable when it came to ranking players similar in achievements.
Professional playing careers were taken into account when trying to separate players too close to judge off their Hawaii careers. (Coaching careers had no factor)
The position they played was not taken into account.
Record holders get a higher nod.
Off field behavior whether good or bad wasn’t taken into account.
Quality of competition was weighted but only as a separating factor when comparing close players.
11. Ryan Grice-Mullen (2005-2007) 1/3 of the dreadheads (Davone Bess (#4) and Jason Rivers), Ryan Grice-Mullen was the definition of one cut and gone. He joined Bess in 2005 as the first pair of receivers in Hawaii history to have over 1000 yards in a season. As a true freshman, Grice-Mullen finished with 1246 receiving yards and 13 TDs, including 4 against NMSU. He led the WAC in yards per game. He would once again reach double-digit touchdowns in 2006, assisting Colt Brennan (#1) in breaking the NCAA single-season record for TD passes as Hawaii won the 2006 Hawaii Bowl. In his finest season, Grice-Mullen put up 1374 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns and 106 catches in 2007, earning himself an All-WAC first team selection. He joined Rivers and Bess as only the second ever trio to record over 1000 receiving yards in a season.
Despite only playing for three seasons, he ranks high in Hawaii’s record books. He ranks fifth in career receptions, fourth in reception yards and second in touchdowns. He’s third in single season receptions and tied for fourth in single game receptions at 14. He’s fourth in single-season reception yards and single season touchdowns. He’s tied for first for single game touchdown selections.
Grice-Mullen would play in both the NFL and the CFL, he would also finish his UH career with a Hawaii Bowl victory, a WAC championship and was named to the WAC’s Offensive Unit of the Year, joining teammates Colt Brennan, Davone Bess, Jason Rivers and C.J. Hawthorne in the honor.
12. Chad Owens (2000-2004) The Greatest Returner in UH history started his career as a walk-on. After redshirting his first year, Owens quickly became a fan favorite, especially in the last game of the 2001 season against No. 12 and arch rival BYU. He returned the opening kickoff to BYU’s 32 yard line, the opening punt for a touchdown and the second kickoff for a touchdown. Owens ended his rookie season with Freshman All-American Honors from FWAA, a WAC special teams player of the week award and multiple school and NCAA return records.
Owens however was much more than a returner. Using his route running skills and hands, he operated as a complete receiver as well. He would finish in the top 3 in All-purpose yards for the Warriors every season he played and saving the best for last, Owens recorded two, four receiving touchdown games (A school record) during the last two regular season games of his senior season (2004). In order to qualify for the Hawaii Bowl, Hawaii had to beat Big 10 opponents Northwestern and Michigan State, with Owens 8 TDs in those two games, he got the job done. Owens is in the top 8 for career, single-season and single-game touchdowns, receptions and receiving yards.
Owens would finish his UH career with All-America Honors from Sports Illustrated, the Mosi Tatupu Award and multiple team awards. He was a sixth round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2005 NFL Draft but found his biggest professional success in the CFL. One of the CFL’s greatest players, Owens won two Grey Cup championships, reaching his personal peak with the Toronto Argonauts in 2012 when Owens led the Argos to the 100th Grey Cup behind his CFL Most Outstanding Player Award. Owens set the record for most single-season All-Purpose Yards in both the CFL and throughout Pro Football. Owens was also the highest paid non-QB in CFL history.
Owens helped lead UH to at that time, it’s most successful four year stretch. He won two Hawaii Bowls and led the WAC in receptions and return yards at various points in his collegiate career.
13. Tom Kaulakakui (1937-1937) Tommy K was the trailblazer in Hawaii football, becoming Hawaii’s first All-American and the first player to have his number retired by the University. The “Grass Shack” was a monster on the field, excelling as a running back and returner, he 103 yard kick return for a touchdown against UCLA is still a school record till today.
Kaulakakui played multiple sports while at UH, making his family proud being the first of his 13 siblings to attend college. Kaulakakui would go on to graduate and eventually become the HC of his Alma Mater. He would then become the HC of Iolani, helping forge a new era of both prep and youth football in the islands. One could say the popularity of the sport in Hawaii can be directly contributed to Kaulakakui. For his efforts, Kaulakakui is a member of both the UH and Polynesian Hall of Fame.
Kaulakakui helped put Hawaii football on the map, being a pillar for which the program was built on. His ability on the field garnered the national attention UH needed to evolve into the team seen today.
14. Greg Salas (2006-2010) Greg Salas is the type of guy who would run through a defender instead of stepping out of bounds just because he could. The UH record holder for receiving yards was a weapon for QB Bryant Moniz as he led UH to a 2010 WAC title, ranking second in the nation for reception yards and third for receptions. Salas who became a full time starter for the Warriors as a sophomore, led UH in reception yards for 3 straight seasons and the WAC for 2.
Salas is the only player in UH history to have two 100 catch seasons, he is also the record holder of not just career receiving yards but also single-season receiving yards and single season receptions. He is ranked 6th for career and single-season touchdowns and in the top 3 for career and single-game receptions. Salas finished his career with over 4300 reception yards and 26 touchdowns, parlaying his time in Manoa into being selected in the 2011 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams in the 4th round.
Salas is still heavily involved with the program in his post NFL career. Salas is one of the few players in UH history to have 2 conference titles, winning the WAC in 2007 and 2010. He is an AP All-America third team selection, a multi time Phil Steele All-America selection, a Hawaii Bowl MVP and a two time All-WAC First Team selection.
15. Mark Odom (1987-1990) When Ty Detmer falls asleep at night, he sees Mark Odom coming after him. The All-time leader for career sacks at UH was a one man wrecking crew. Only second to Al Noga (#3) in tackles for loss, the linebacker was beloved by HC Bob Wagner and DC Rich Ellerson. Originally set to redshirt his freshman year, Odom was blowing up teammates as a member on the scout team, thus contributing to the program from year 1.
Starting his career with a ridiculous 11 sacks as a freshman, Odom wasted no time becoming a fan favorite. His destructive nature combined with his sack celebrations would be put on display when he pounded the turf after sacking Ty Detmer as if he was a referee in a wrestling match, celebrating his school record 4 single game sacks.
Odom was moved from outside to inside and then back to outside linebacker in his career. He had 13 sacks in 1989 and 11 in 1990. He helped lead Hawaii to 9 win seasons in 88 and 89, an Aloha Bowl birth and was critical in Hawaii’s historic victories over BYU in 1989 and 1990. He is a two time All-WAC First Team selection.
16. Gary Allen (1978-1981) Originally recruited as a wide receiver, Allen transitioned to running back as a fill in and never left. Setting a school record for freshman rushing yards, the UH Hall of Famer wasted no time earning high graces from his HC Dick Tomey. As Tomey’s workhorse, Allen set the school record for career rushing yards, a record that stands till today. Allen’s 1979 and 1981 seasons are in the top 10 for single-season rushing yards and Allen’s 202 rushing yards against UTEP is ranked tenth in school history for single game performances.
With the pressure of joining the WAC, Tomey’s trust in Allen proved dividend. A 8 win season in 1980 and 9 win season in 1981 gave Tomey his best and second best season in Manoa. Hawaii achieved their first ever national ranking behind Allen’s performances, leading to his selection in the 6th round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. Allen would play in the CFL as well.
Allen is a three time All-WAC First Team Selection, a two time Eddie James Memorial Trophy winner (awarded to the leading rusher in the CFL’s western division and a CFL All-Star. Allen would return to his high school alma mater to coach it’s freshman team.
17. Jeff Ulbricht (1998-1999) The current defensive coordinator for the New York Jets was once a standout linebacker for the University of Hawaii. Arriving in Manoa, by way of Gavilan College in Gilroy, California, Ulbricht was a tackling machine. Leading the team in that category during his senior year, he set the school record for single season tackles at 169, a record he still owns till today.
Ulbricht was a critical member of the 1999 Hawaii Warriors team that completed the biggest turnaround in NCAA history, going from 0-12 to 9-4. He won both the WAC and the 1999 Oahu Bowl over Oregon State. Ulbricht would then go on to be selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played 9 years in the league, all for the team that drafted him before embarking on his coaching career.
Ulbricht is a a one time All-WAC First Team selection and still holds multiple school records for single season tackles.
18. Niko Noga (1980-1983) Setting the foundation for his brother’s Al (#3) and Pete Noga, Falaniko Noga was a force of havoc for opposing offensive lines. Being the WAC newcomer of the year in 1980, Noga ended his career as the most dominant pass rusher of his era, alongside Alvis Satele. A critical member of Hawaii’s early days in the WAC, he never had a losing season while in green as he was huge in Hawaii’s 23-0 win over UNLV in Vegas against Randall Cunningham and Hawaii’s top performance against Oklahoma.
Noga would parlay a tremendous collegiate career into an 8th round selection by the then St. Louis Cardinals in the 1984 NFL Draft. Noga would play 8 years in the league before retiring, having played for the Cardinals and the Detroit Lions. He know lives in American Samoa and works of the American Samoa government in it’s department of education.
Noga is a UH Hall of Famer, a two time A.P. All-American Honorable Mention (with several voices claiming he was robbed of a team selection due to regional biases) as well as a two time First Team and two time Second Team All-WAC selection.
19. Ma’a Tanuvasa (1990-1992) Another monster on the defensive line, Ma’a Tanuvasa was in short…dominant. A leader on Hawaii’s 1992 WAC and Holiday Bowl winning teams, Tanuvasa was the head man for a defense that held opponents under 26 points, 9 times in the 1992 season. Noted for ability to not lose ground and man handle double teams, he was critical alongside Junior Tagoa’i in holding Air Force to 3 points in the Bows winning effort.
Tanuvasa would go on to be selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1993 NFL Draft. The 8th round selection would bounce around the league for a couple years before joining fellow Warrior Jason Elam (#6) in Denver in 1995. From 1995-2000, Tanuvasa would be an integral part of the Broncos Super Bowl winning squads in 1997 and 1998, leading the team in sacks in 1998 and 1999.
Tanuvasa would return to Hawaii as an assistant coach for his alma mater, Mililani High School. Tanuvasa is a member of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame and was a one time All-WAC First Team Selection.
20. Rich Miano (1981-1984) One of the true OGs of the Warrior Walk-On club, Rich Miano has served the University of Hawaii as a player, position coach, assistant coach and an advocate. As a player, he was a standout safety who had three straight seasons of three interceptions. (1982, 1983, 1984). Miano was named to the All-WAC team in 1983 and 1984 before becoming a sixth round selection by the New York Jets.
Miano played in the NFL for 10 years for the Jets, Eagles and Falcons before beginning a 13 year coaching career at the University of Hawaii under June Jones and Greg McMackin. He would also return to his Alma Mater Kaiser High School, leading the Cougars to a Hawaii State Championship in 2013.
Miano is currently the executive director of the Hula Bowl and serves as a sports commentator on OC16 along side Kanoa Leahey. He also served along side the late great Robert Kekaula. Side note, I met Rich Miano as he came to my high school after I finished Judo practice. He was friends with my Sensei, the late Robin Mori and he spoke about heart and competition. You can tell the love he has for Hawaii, UH and Hawaii’s people in genuine, exemplified by his many years of service to the state.
