Honolulu — Game day is fast approaching for Polynesian Bowl participants, and Wednesday's practice was the perfect opportunity to prepare for the game. Neither team has put on pads yet this week, but there were plenty of opportunities to see a potential matchup.
Let me introduce some of the highlights from the third day of practice.
of michigan The signee made some impressive plays throughout Wednesday's practice, both as a receiver and as a runner. He used his speed to cut through defenses on the ground, and as a pass catcher he stood out for his ability to get behind defenders, making a series of impactful plays for Team Mauka.
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of BYUThe tight bouncer from Laguna Beach, Calif., should feel comfortable in Hawaii and looked comfortable throughout the week in practice sessions. On Wednesday, he stood out most for several catches, including an impressive touchdown grab while being dragged to the ground by a defender, which drew applause from his teammates.
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four stars University of California Los Angeles The signee was probably Hawaii's most consistent receiver this week. Gilmer was able to make some notable catches in each practice, whether lining up in the slot or working outside, and had another strong day Wednesday. His ability to play down the field has been on display all week, and he once again demonstrated his ability to go vertically.
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Team Mauka has plenty of talent to choose from at quarterback this week. ClemsonThe -bound receiver is one of the top targets in that group. Although Wesco has a hard physique, he is not afraid to play in traffic. In fact, he was the best in that regard throughout his first few days of practice.
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Up until now, it has been a little difficult for defensive players and linemen to make an impression. OregonThe linebacker from Long Beach, Calif., managed to turn heads on the third day of practice. Williams has bulked up over the past year and now appears to be playing the role of inside linebacker in college, but he hasn't lost the athleticism that made him a candidate for many schools at the time of his recruitment. He practiced Wednesday, and he also spent time practicing with the defensive backs.
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Slowing down Team Mauka's receivers is no easy task, and the defensive back group was a little thin this week as well.Still, the future texas The cornerback decided to do his best to corral a talented group of receivers for his team. Wilson will be transferring from Scottsdale, Ariz. If he does that, he should be on the field soon. His catches didn't hurt his confidence this week and he showed physicality in matchups with receivers.
of PurdueThe bouncy defensive back has been a playmaker in almost every practice session this week. Beasley was once again disruptive in pass coverage during Wednesday's practice, coming up with a nice pass breakup and nearly resulting in an interception in the team part, but was one of the most consistent performers in the secondary throughout three days of practice. There was only one person.
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From the third day, the strength of the attacking and defensive teams began to increase, oklahomaThe bouncy defensive lineman supported a top-10 ranking when given the chance. He showed a knack for getting into the backfield during some of Wednesday's 5-on-5 games and was dominant in almost every aspect.
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The recent BYU commit from Bountiful, Utah, has had a busy month since announcing his decision at the All-American Bowl. He quietly put together a strong week in Hawaii at the safety position, which continued Wednesday when he added an interception later in the day during the team period.