RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesFour years ago, Devon Tauaefa accepted a scholarship to play tight end for the University of Hawaii football team.
There was a glitch.
Newly hired head coach Timmy Chang was installing a run-and-shoot offense that traditionally did not employ a tight end.
And another glitch.
“I was a receiver in high school,” said Tauaefa, a 2022 graduate of Saint Louis School.
But Chang, who previously coached tight ends at Nevada, was set on expanding the four-wide offense he ran as a record-setting UH quarterback for five seasons through 2005. Chang believed a tight end could both fortify the pass protection and create pass-catching mismatches against linebackers and nickelbacks. Tauaefa’s long reach could create space from grasping defenders; his 6-foot-5 frame made him a large target.
“I was 185 (pounds) when I first got here,” said Tauaefa, who then spent time in the weight room and training-table line. He now weighs 230 pounds entering his fifth UH season.
“It’s been a struggle to gain weight,” Tauaefa said. “It took me a while. I was still looking like a receiver my first two years. I slowly transitioned my body. I did what I had to do to force-feed myself to gain weight.”
He adhered to the Lotta Plan — a lot of eggs, a lot of protein shakes, a lot of white rice.
“I tried to maintain my workouts even though I was eating a lot,” he said. “I wouldn’t get fat because I was transitioning my body into getting muscular by training every day, doing what I could to build my body up.”
To develop blocking skills as a line-attached tight end, he would punch heavy bags held up by teammates.
“I used to box when I was a kid,” he said.
In addition to squat lifts, he strengthened his lower body by pushing weighted blocking sleds.
He honed his “punch” — two-handed thrusts to a defender’s jersey numbers — by hitting trees and pillars, sometimes during walks between classes. Asked if that gave the appearance of craziness, he said, smiling: “I don’t know. Maybe. But, hey, hard work pays off.”
Tauaefa also tried to maintain his ability as a sure-handed receiver. After organized practices, he caught passes from teammates and the JUGS machine.
“Every time I’m out running routes, I have to remind myself to soften up my hands,” Tauaefa said. “That’s the tricky part. I have to have hard hands in the box (to block) and soft hands out in the perimeter. I have to find a happy medium.”
His blank stare keeps defenders guessing whether he is a blocker or receiver. Sometimes both, when he performs football’s version of the pick-and-roll, chipping a defender and then curling into open space.
“Sometimes I play a little bit (of cards),” he said of his poker face.
Tauaefa also has found a balance among sports, academics and family life.
“Ever since I was a little kid, I was always playing ball,” said Tauaefa, who grew up in Kalihi and Kapolei. “My family always knew I would be a ballplayer.”
He is on track to earn a degree in interdisciplinary studies and sports management at the end of this semester.
This past May 4, Tauaefa’s girlfriend, Lahaina, gave birth to the couple’s son.
And Tauaefa continues to volunteer with youth programs and community services.
“I love taking care of the youth sports and giving back to younger people,” he said. “I also like to take care of my communities and help those who are struggling with homelessness or addiction. I really want to help take care of the whole island. I don’t want to focus on one particular area. One step at a time.”
He has participated in food drives, and helped organize beach days in which games and food are provided at no charge.
“Little stuff to to give back to the community,” he said. “My experience growing up inspired me to be like that. Compared to a lot of people, I’ve always been fortunate to have the things I’ve had, and the family that loves me and takes care of me. I’m blessed. I want to give back to those who are less fortunate and don’t have the opportunities I’ve had.”
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