2009 NFP Scouting Series: Hawaii

This summer, the National Football Post is breaking down every team in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) to identify players who might warrant interest from NFL teams in the 2010 draft.

The Hawaii Warriors finished tied for second in the WAC last season with a record 5-3 and once again should be in the mix for a conference title.

Offense

Greg Alexander: No. 12, QB, 6'3", 232-lb.

Isn’t real natural going through his progressions and struggles finding his second option in the pass game. However, he does a nice job quickly getting his feet around and striding into throws. Possesses decent athletic ability in the pocket and consistently keeps his eyes downfield when avoiding the rush.

Yet, he doesn’t decipher information quickly and will hold on to the ball too long at times. Displays a long wind-up in his release when asked to go down the field and has a tendency to force the ball into coverage. Lacks ideal arm strength and isn’t a guy who can fit the ball into tight areas if he’s late with a read. Doesn’t throw a real clean spiral, and passes tend to wobble on him when he tries to get the ball outside the numbers.

Possesses slightly above-average accuracy in the short/intermediate pass game and exhibits good composure on the move. Showcases a nice touch down the field and allows his receivers to run under the deep ball when he isn’t forcing throws into coverage.

Impression: Knows how to buy time in the pocket, but there isn’t much of a rhythm to his game. Doesn’t decipher information quickly, is late with reads, and looks most comfortable when asked to improvise—not traits you look for in an NFL quarterback.

Aaron Kia: No. 77, OT, 6'4", 298-lb.

Displays decent bend in his stance and possesses a coordinated kick-step off the snap. Initially keeps his base down, but has a tendency to get upright the longer he’s asked to mirror in space. Lacks the athleticism to consistently reach the corner and is routinely forced to open his hips and lunge into blocks in an effort to push defenders past the pocket. Struggles staying compact with his footwork through his kick-slide, which hinders him from maximizing his range in pass protection.

Lacks power in the run game and doesn’t possess the ability to generate much pop on contact. Struggles staying low into blocks and gaining proper hand placement at the point of attack. Consistently falls off defenders at the second level and isn’t much of a factor when asked to reach linemen away his frame.

Impression: A decent athlete in pass protection with a clean initial kick-step, but he lacks the size and power to hold his own vs. NFL-caliber pass rushers.

John Estes: No. 55, OC, 6'2", 298-lb.

Does a nice job getting his hands under the pad level of interior linemen in pass protection and shuffling his feet through contact. Fires off the ball quickly and possesses the flexibility to keep his base down and be stout vs. the bull-rush. However, he has a tendency to get too high when sliding his feet in pass protection and struggles staying on blocks throughout the play.

Is only an average athlete and lacks the lateral quickness to make up for a false step inside. Has a tendency to overextend his footwork when reaching defenders off his frame and doesn’t possess the fluidity to keep them from getting across his body. However, he delivers a strong punch on contact and displays the ability to push linemen past the play.

Snaps and steps quickly and does a nice job getting into linemen at the line of scrimmage and working his feet to maintain the upper hand. However, he consistently is forced to lunge into blocks on the move and isn’t the type of athlete who can break down in space and consistently seal defenders from the ball.

Impression: Performs only slightly above average in all areas of the game and doesn’t play against a real high level of completion. Looks more like a backup-type interior lineman at the next level.

Defense

John Fonoti: No. 58, DE/OLB, 6'2", 255-lb.

Isn’t real flexible out of his stance and lacks a great burst off the ball. Struggles keeping his pad level down on his pass rush and gets too high into blocks. Exhibits some natural strength on contact, but doesn’t keep his base low enough to generate much power on his bull-rush.

Exhibits good body control on the move and does a nice job extending his arms into blocks and keeping linemen off his frame. Works hard in pursuit, but lacks ideal closing speed. Isn’t real physical at the point of attack and consistently allows opposing linemen to get their hands under his pads and seal him away from the play. Gets too high on contact and struggles holding the point and working his way toward the football.

Does a nice job slanting across the face of offensive tackles and shooting gaps inside, but lacks balance and is easily pushed past the play once he gains a step. Isn’t real fluid in space and doesn’t possess the short-area quickness to break down on the ball.

Impression: Isn’t a real pass rushing threat and struggles holding the point of attack vs. the run game. Doesn’t look like much of an NFL prospect.

Brashton Satele: No. 13, ILB, 6'1", 255-lb.

A big, thickly built linebacker who displays natural power and knows how to fill run lanes at the line of scrimmage. Showcases good physicality as a tackler and consistently wraps up and drives his legs through contact. However, he’s a limited athlete who possesses only decent closing speed toward the football.

Struggles when asked to play in space and lacks fluidity out of his breaks. Isn’t a sideline-to-sideline defender and doesn’t possess the range to make plays in coverage.

Impression: Displays good size and some natural power, but he lacks the fluidity to play in space at the next level. Could get some looks as a developmental guy in a 3-4 scheme, but will be a liability in coverage.

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