John Fonoti loves playing DE

About how he prefers playing DE than QB (which he played some at Farrington High School), John Fonoti said:
"I like hunting someone down and making big plays." (HSB)

Preferring to hit someone over scoring TDs, Fonoti said:
"On the other side you can make big plays and score touchdowns. But it feels better when you're chasing someone and hitting somebody." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The 6-foot-2, 255-pound senior is the Warriors' top returning tackler, finishing last season with 62 total stops while starting all 14 games. He was credited with 9 1/2 tackles for loss, including 3 1/2 sacks, and recovered three fumbles. His familiarity playing offense came in handy in a win over Nevada last October when he scooped up a fumble and scored the first of Hawaii's two defensive touchdowns."

About how the light turned on for Fonoti in the Nevada game, DL coach Dave Aranda said:
"Last year he struggled at times as he adjusted to the speed of things and playing with technique and not playing street ball. I thought the turning point was the Nevada game. John was a completely different player. If you look at (games against) Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Idaho, John really dominated a lot of times. We need him to be that type of player." (HSB)

About the huge turnover on the DL after so many starters graduated, Fonoti said:
"It's part of the game and you have to learn to adjust." (HSB)

About how he benefitted from redshirting his first season at UH, Fonoti said:
"It actually helped me out. When I came out of high school I didn't like the weight room at all. I didn't really lift. Brashton (Satele) always called me up, tried to wake me up and get me to work out in the early mornings. That year I got a lot stronger in the weight room." (HSB)

About how practicing against Fonoti makes him better, Aaron Kia said:
"He is such a good player. That man is strong and he's got every move in the book. I like going against him because he's got everything and it'll only make me better. If I get beat, of course I get frustrated, but I know he's getting me better." (HSB)

About their first practice in pads, Fonoti said:
"It was awesome. I've been waiting for it, training for it all spring and it's finally here." (HSB)