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The road to professional football makes an important stop in California this week for a group of former University of Hawai’i football players who will gather at Sacramento State’s Hornet Stadium to showcase their skills for scouts at UH’s Pro Day, Friday, March 20.
 
With the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh just over a month away, the event serves as an audition for 19 Rainbow Warriors looking to elevate their draft stock or secure priority free-agent status. UH traditionally hosts its Pro Day on the West Coast in a more accessible location for pro scouts to evaluate its roster in person ensuring maximum exposure for its players as they perform on-field drills and official measurements.
 
This year’s Pro Day will be held along with Sacramento State and UC Davis. In addition to the 19 players, associate head coach Chris Brown, general manager Matt Chon, and head strength and conditioning coach Bobby Thomas are also attending.
 
Key Prospects to Watch
The group features a deep pool of talent across the board, from imposing linemen to agile defensive backs:
 
The Defensive Anchors: Defensive tackles De’Jon Benton (6-1, 270) and Jamar Sekona (6-2, 275) will look to prove their interior strength. They are joined by edge rushers Jackie Johnson III and Tariq Jones, both weighing in at 245 pounds, who aim to showcase their speed around the corner.
 
Secondary Standouts: The defensive backfield is well-represented by corners Virdel Edwards II (6-2), Devyn King, and Jaheim Wilson-Jones, along with safeties Peter Manuma and Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen.
 
Offensive Power: The “big men” upfront include James Milovale (6-6, 320), Zhen Sotelo (6-3, 310), and Kuao Peihopa (6-2, 290). On the perimeter, wide receiver Nick Cenacle (6-2, 200) provides a tall target with playmaking potential.
 
Backfield & Linebackers: Running backs Landon Sims and Christian Vaughn will look to display their versatility, while linebackers Giovanni Iovino and Jalen Smith aim to show they can play sideline-to-sideline at the next level.
 
Full Pro Day Roster

 
 

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