HONOLULU — For the past few weeks, University of Hawai‘i defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga has been enjoying being a part of fall football camp. But it’s more like he’s been enduring it, he said. “(The coaches) expect you to think
HONOLULU — For the past few weeks, University of Hawai‘i defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga has been enjoying being a part of fall football camp.
But it’s more like he’s been enduring it, he said.
“(The coaches) expect you to think faster. They expect a lot out of us,“ he said. “They’re not going to wait around for you to catch up. It took me a while to get used to it, but after a couple of days, I caught on.”
The 6-foot, 2-inch freshman, who celebrated his 18th birthday on Sunday, signed on to a five-year scholarship to play with the Warriors back in February.
While playing for Kamehameha Schools, Kapalama, Meatoga earned three letters in football, received second all-state and first-team all-league honors and was chosen to play in the annual HUB Goodwill Senior All-Star Games at Aloha Stadium.
He recorded more than 400 tackles, posted 10 sacks and two fumble recoveries. And he helped Kamehameha to a state championship.
For Meatoga, the transition from prep football to college ball is exactly what he expected it would be.
“I expected it to be a lot more intense,” he said.
Still, it doesn’t make getting through fall camp any easier.
“Physically, I’m fine, but I’m mentally drained,” he said.
Like many other underclassmen players, Meatoga trained a lot over the summer. One of his tasks was to bulk up. He was roughly 280 pounds when he was signed to the team. He was told to get up to nearly 300 pounds.
“I’m at 297 now,” he said.
Meatoga hopes that his bulking up and hard work will pay off in terms of earning some playing time this season.
“As long as I work hard, coaches will find a place for me,” he said. “Especially since we have a deeper line this year. I’m also the only freshman defensive tackle.”
Meatoga grew up playing Koloa Pop Warner football from the Pee Wee to the Midget leagues. Before signing with Hawai‘i, Meatoga looked at Boise State and University of Nevada at Las Vegas.
But Hawai‘i was always his first choice. Now that the season starts Sept. 1, he’s anxious to get started.
“I just want to get on the field and play,” he said.
Vaughn Meatoga
Family: Parents Kenny and Lynette Meatoga, younger brother and sister
Hometown: Kalaheo
Birthday: Aug. 19, 1989
UH Football Schedule
Sept. 1 Northern Colorado 6:05 p.m.
Sept. 8 at Louisiana Tech 6:05 p.m.
Sept. 15 at UNLV 6:35 p.m.
Sept. 22 Charleston Southern 6:05 p.m.
Sept. 29 at Idaho 2:05 p.m.
Oct. 6 Utah State 6:05 p.m.
Oct. 12 at San Jose State (ESPN) 5:05 p.m.
Oct. 17 New Mexico State 6:05 p.m.
Nov. 10 Fresno State 6:05 p.m.
Nov. 16 at Nevada (ESPN2) 8:05 p.m.
Nov. 23 Boise State (ESPN2) 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 1 Washington (ESPN OR ESPN2) TBA
