In the celebration of Hawaii’s 35-31 comeback victory over California in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, athletic director Matt Elliott and head coach Timmy Chang embraced.
“I’m going to take off a couple days,” Chang told Elliott.
The well-deserved break might not last 48 hours. Chang and his assistants and support staff have been on the go since Jan. 4. Chang acknowledged it will get hectic at the start of the new year.
The 15-day NCAA transfer portal opens Jan. 2. The Rainbow Warriors have secured commitments from several core players — including quarterback Micah Alejado, slotback Pofele Ashlock, nickelback Elijah Palmer and mike linebacker Jamih Otis — to return for the 2026 season.
Linebacker Wynden Ho‘ohuli has received a medical hardship that will enable him to play as a sixth-year senior in 2026. Defensive tackle Luther McCoy, who transferred from Minnesota this year, also is expected to be granted a waiver to remain with the Warriors.
On Christmas Day, 29-year-old freshman punter Billy Gowers announced on social media his intent to enter the portal. The move was expected considering the widespread interest he drew for his booming punts. Gowers, another graduate of ProKick Australia, could launch 70-foot drives with either leg.
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Ahead of the Hawaii Bowl, wideout Jackson Harris left the Warriors with the intent to transfer. Harris is expected to command an offer of high six figures. Offensive lineman KT Carter and defensive backs Ben Drake and Deliyon Freeman also removed themselves from the active roster with their announced plans to transfer.
“With Jackson, we wish him well,” Ashlock said of his former housemate. “We wish him love.”
Receivers coach Jared Ursua said the Warriors have remained supportive of players who transfer for more playing time, payouts or a better fit. The feelings apparently were reciprocated. Two players who transferred after last season — wideout Dekel Crowdus (Wisconsin) and cornerback Caleb “C-Bow” Brown — attended the Hawaii Bowl.
UH’s recruiting staff, similar to other programs, has been evaluating players who announced they would enter the portal. Unlike the previous academic year, there are tight deadlines for midseason transfers to participate in the Warriors’ offseason program. UH’s spring semester begins Jan. 12. The last day to register or add classes is Jan. 20. Spring-semester enrollees include quarterback Maika Eugenio, who is graduating early from Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas to begin UH classes in two weeks.
The Warriors are confident they can add transfers to fill the active roster. For the Hawaii Bowl, eight of UH’s defensive starters began their college careers at other schools. Defensive tackle Carsen Stocklinski, long-snapper Jack Mowrey and Gowers were late signees last spring.
The Warriors seek to add safeties, defensive linemen and O-linemen. The Warriors are hopeful to expand roles for safety Ezekiel Rodrigues; O-linemen Boogie Henderson, Tui Muti and Lautaimi Manuma; receivers Jarvis “Dino” Heimuli, Kainoa “Kaikai” Carvalho and Titan Lacaden; tight end Frank Abreu; linebackers Matteus Ioane and Junior Fiaui; and running back Sitani Mikaele.
The strength/conditioning program begins Jan. 12. Spring training is tentatively set for early February, with 15 practices spread over four or five weeks. After that, the second phase of offseason conditioning will complete the spring semester.
To prepare for spring training, strength/conditioning coordinator Bobby Thomas said, there will be three weeks “to get them ready for football. It’s preparing the bodies for spring ball.”
Thomas said a conditioning workbook was sent to the midseason transfers. There also are videos available to demonstrate the sessions.
This offseason, Thomas would like to add more high-volume workouts, such as increasing the number of sets and reps.
The ailing Warriors will be given time to mend. Alejado has endured a season-long injured right ankle suffered in the opener against Stanford. He used a medical boot when he was not practicing or playing. The left-handed Alejado also has played with injuries to his left foot and throwing arm.
Otis is recovering from ACL and meniscus injuries to his left knee. He is targeting the summer for his return. There is a possibility Ho‘ohuli will move to middle linebacker and Otis would play weak-side linebacker.