The Top 100: Hawaii’s Greatest Warriors. The Top 10
This was a very difficult list to make. So many great UH players that skimming it down to a hundred was hard enough, having to rank them seemed impossible. Of course, my list won’t be universally liked or accepted as we all have both our personal opinions and favorite players. 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.
With all that being said, let’s get started! This is my rankings through the 2021 season.
Colt Brennan (2005-2007): The Hawaii Warriors have a proud tradition of walk-ons achieving heights of grandeur in black and green so it should be no surprise that our number one Warrior of All-Time followed in that esteemed tradition. A walk-on from Saddleback College, Brennan made his way to the islands and dominated. The All-American posted a career 26-10 record with double-digit wins in 06 and 07 to go with a Hawaii Bowl victory and Hawaii’s only outright WAC title. Brennan was a Heisman trophy finalist, becoming Hawaii’s first ever player to attend the ceremony, where he finished third in voting. He also won the Sammy Baugh trophy and held several passing records by the end of his career. Brennan’s single-season TD record (58) stood for over a decade until Joe Burrow broke it in 2019.
Brennan would be drafted in the sixth round by Washington where he had an impressive pre-season. Not only did he pass for multiple TD’s, he earned the acclaim of Hall Of Fame Coach John Madden. His career would be hampered by injuries.
Brennan is one of seven Hawaii All-Americans, he also owns the UH record for single-season passing touchdowns, passing yards and passing completions. For his career, he is first in touchdowns and second in passing yards & completions. He is a two time All-WAC First Team selection and two time WAC Offensive Player of the Year. He is a member of the University of Hawaii’s Hall of Fame.
His number 15 was retired in 2021, only the second ever number to be retired by the University.
Ashley Lelie (1999-2001): The Radford High School standout tops the list of phenomenal UH receivers. He is top 8 All-Time in career receptions, yards and touchdowns. A crucial piece in Hawaii’s NCAA record turnaround in 1999, where the Warriors went 9-4 after going 0-12 in 1998, Lelie’s work helped UH capture their second ever bowl win in the 1999 Oahu Bowl. His numbers are skewed due to having three starting quarterbacks in three seasons and a poor 2000 showing by the Warriors. However it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish and Lelie was a leading force in Hawaii’s excellent 2001 season. Not only was he crucial in Hawaii avenging a loss to Tulsa by dominating them in Oklahoma and derailing Heisman finalist David Carr and arch rival No. 18 Fresno State’s season, he pulled off a signature performance in his college finale against undefeated and hated rival No. 12 BYU. The Warriors pulled off the 72-45 victory behind Lelie’s eight receptions for 262 yards and two touchdowns.
Lelie would leave after his junior season where he would become Hawaii’s highest ever NFL draft pick. He was the nineteenth overall selection by the Denver Broncos. Lelie enjoyed an eight year career in the NFL.
What set Lelie apart from his fellow receivers was his play. He was the best option in Hawaii’s passing game, going against opponent’s best cornerbacks. He had blazing speed, an incredible jump ball ability, excellent footwork and reliable hands. He didn’t need space to get open and his big play ability is evident in Hawaii’s record books. There is an argument to be made that Hawaii loses to ranked Fresno and BYU without him. If that happens, Hawaii isn’t 9-3 and snubbed from a bowl appearance. The Hawaii Bowl was created the following year to fix that.
He is a one time All-WAC First Team selection. Ashley Lelie, homegrown baller.
Al Noga (1984-1987): The Samoan Sackman lived up to his name during his time in Manoa. The second All-Time leader in sacks at UH, Noga would reek havoc on offensive lines. By the time his career was finished, he was number one in sacks for UH record books, impressive when you consider it was a running league when he played. His numbers would not go unnoticed as he was named to the AP All-American first team and was an Outland Trophy finalist. Noga played a huge role on defense, most notably when he assisted in Hawaii’s victory over Wisconsin.
Noga’s selection as the WAC’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1986 and his three time selection the the All-WAC First Team would see him drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1988 NFL Draft. Noga till today is Hawaii’s All-Time leader in single season sacks. Noga is an three time First Team All-WAC selection. He is a member of the University of Hawaii’s Hall of Fame and was named in Sports Illustrated list of “50 Greatest Hawaii Sports Figures”
Davone Bess (2005-2007): A graduate of Skyline High School, Bess played under coach John Beam who has sent multiple players to UH including Jared Smart and Dior Scott. Making his way to Hawaii, Bess exploded on the scene and became an instant fan favorite. He finished his freshman year with over a 1000 reception yards and 14 touchdowns. During his three seasons in Hawaii, Bess had three thousand yard seasons, three straight years of double digit touchdowns and he eclipsed the 100 reception mark in 2007. He is the UH All-Time leader in career reception touchdowns and career receptions.
Bess would declare for the NFL Draft after his junior season, where he was signed as an Undrafted Free Agent by the Miami Dolphins. He finished the 2008 season with the third most receptions among rookies and the second most receptions by an UDFA rookie of All-Time. He played five years in the NFL, ending his career with the Cleveland Browns.
During his UH career, Bess was named WAC freshman on the year. He was a three time All-WAC First team selection, AP Third team All-American and was named to the All-Freshman team in national publications, the Sporting News, Football Writers Association of America and Rivals.com. He continues to be regarded as one or the best if not the best Receiver in Hawaii history.
Jesse Sapolu (1979-1982): The four time Super Bowl champion and two time Pro Bowler made his mark in Manoa. A one time first-team and one time second-team All WAC selection, the UH Hall of Famer was an unstoppable force for the Warriors rushing attack, led by fellow UH Hall of Fame Running Back, Gary Allen.
Sapolu would be drafted by the San Francisco 49ers 1983 where he went on to achieve great success and open the door for both Hawaii and Polynesian players to have an opportunity in the NFL. Sapolu began a lineage of great UH lineman, some who went on to achieve great success in the NFL. Warriors like Vince Manuwai (#9), Samson Satele, Hercules Satele, John Estas and more can point to Sapolu for breaking down the door. Sapolu’s success also led to an increased look by mainland programs into Hawaii recruits. Hawaii born/ raised offensive lineman who went to achieve great success in college and/or the NFL like Chris Naeole, Dom Raiola, Toniu Fonoti and Olin Kreutz owe a part of their success to Sapolu.
Sapolu is still active in football, running the Men In The Trenches football academy and was a moving force in the creation of the Polynesian Hall of Fame.
Jason Elam (1989-1992): Elam is Hawaii’s all time leader in points, field goals made and second all time in both career and single season field goals made percentage. Just to show how dominant Elam was during his four years in Manoa, in terms of single-season field goals made, all four of his seasons are in the top five rankings. Elam was named the WAC Special Teams Player of the Year in 1992, adding to his already impressive three All-WAC selections.
Elam was a member of the 1992 Hawaii Warriors football team which won Hawaii’s first ever conference title and Hawaii’s first ever FBS Bowl Game with a victory over Illinois in the Holiday Bowl. Hawaii finished the season ranked 20th in the nation.
Elam would be drafted in the third round of the 1993 NFL draft to the Denver Broncos where he was named to the PFWA All Rookie team. Elam finished his pro career after 16 seasons with two Super Bowl titles, three Pro Bowl selections and was named to the second Team All-Pro list on three occasions. Elam is also a member of the Broncos Ring of Honor and the Broncos 50th anniversary team. Elam is a member of the University of Hawaii’s Hall of Fame.
Jeris White (1970-1973): The second Radford alum on the list, Jeris White was Hawaii’s first elite DB. Taking the foundation that Steve Adler and George Lumpkin built in 1970, White had a six interception season in 1971. However his impact wasn’t just only being a ball hawk, he was also one of the hardest hitters of his time. He was selected in the second round of the NFL draft in 1974 by the Miami Dolphins.
White would go on to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the then Washington Redskins. White became the first ever UH player to participate in a Super Bowl where he was victorious in Super Bowl XVII over his former team, the Miami Dolphins.
White ended his UH career with both the most interception return yards in a season and in a career. Another UH trailblazer in the pros, Jeris White finished his UH career with 9 total interceptions and was the true definition of a shutdown corner. White is a member of the University of Hawaii’s Hall of Fame
Pisa Tinoisamoa (2000-2002) When it comes to stalwart, hard hitting, reliable linebackers, Pisa Tinoisamoa has to top that list. Making his mark as a sophomore, Tinoisamoa led the team in tackles for loss and was tied for the lead in sacks. As a junior, he was ranked fourth in the WAC for tackles per game to go along with his team leading five sacks. However his finest moment came against No. 12 BYU where he had two forced fumbles and a famous hit at the goal line as time expired on the first half, preventing a BYU touchdown. As a senior, Tinoisamoa had over a 100 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two interceptions on his way to being named the most valuable player by his teammates.
Tinoisamoa would enter the 2003 NFL Draft as one of the top linebacker prospects, he would be selected in the second round by the St. Louis Rams. He spent 8 years in the NFL. Tinoisamoa is ranked ninth in Hawaii career sacks to go along with his multiple WAC Defensive Player of the Week awards. He was a second team All-WAC selection in 2001 and a first team All-WAC selection in 2002.
Vince Manuwai (1999-2002) Arguably the greatest offensive lineman in UH history, Manuwai continued a proud tradition of Hawaii Guards dominating the trenches. In his 35 starts, he never allowed a sack. I’m sorry, let me repeat that. Vince Manuwai never allowed a sack in his college career. An impressive feat in itself, made more impressive by the fact that Manuwai played in the pass heavy Run N Shoot offense.
Manuwai was a College Football News All-American, A Warrior Club Award (given to the best player on the team), an honorable All-WAC mention in 2000, a second team All-WAC selection in 2001 and a first team All-WAC selection in 2002. Manuwai would go on to be drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He would start over 100 NFL games, being a driving force behind the performances of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew.
Manuwai would help kick off an era of dominant interior lineman including Samson Satele, Hercules Satele, Keith Ah Soon, John Estas and Ben Clarke. Manuwai was the protector for record breaking QBs Nick Rolovich and Timmy Chang as well.
Alex Green (2009-2010) The most complete running back Hawaii has ever had, Green made the most of his one year as full time starter. After splitting carries with Leon Wright-Jackson in 2009, Green broke out with a rushing touchdown over No. 14 USC. Green would go on to rush for 1,999 yards in 2010, including a till this day record of 327 yards against New Mexico State. Green would leave UH as the schools leader in single season rushing yards. Green was also hampered the fact Hawaii had an explosive passing attack with counted for over 5000 passing yards. Green also had over 300 reception yards, bringing his total yardage in 2010 to over 1500 yards.
Green would be an All-WAC second team selection in 2010 to go along with Hawaii’s WAC championship, their fourth ever. He would also gain a WAC Player of the Week nod and national recognition as the Capitol One Player of the Week. Green would go on to be drafted in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Green is tied with Nate Illoa for sixth all time in career touchdowns and tied for second with Jamal Farmer for single season rushing touchdowns at Hawaii. Green in the only running back on the career touchdown list to play less than three seasons in Manoa.
