West Georgia Tandem Find New Home with Hawaii Warriors

Two defensive standouts from Division II West Georgia University have joined the University of Hawaii football team.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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After accepting sight-unseen offers from the University of Hawaii football team, West Georgia University safety Joenel Figueroa and defensive tackle Geoffrey Speight Jr. traveled to Hawaii in January and decided to stay. Both players cited the warm weather, strong team culture, and coaching connections as reasons for choosing to join the Warriors program.

Why it matters

The additions of Figueroa and Speight provide an immediate boost to Hawaii's defense, as both players were standouts at the Division II level. Their decisions to transfer to Hawaii highlight the program's ability to attract talented players from outside the state and the appeal of playing college football in a tropical paradise.

The details

Figueroa, a safety from Lawrence, Massachusetts, had previously played at Southern Connecticut State and West Georgia. Speight, a defensive tackle from McDonough, Georgia, played three seasons at Virginia Military Academy before transferring to West Georgia. Both players cited connections between the Hawaii coaching staff and their previous schools as factors in their decisions to join the Warriors.

  • Figueroa and Speight arrived in Hawaii in January 2026 to enroll in spring semester classes and participate in the Warriors' offseason program.
  • Figueroa and Speight competed in the Warriors' 14 spring practices in 2026.

The players

Joenel Figueroa

A safety from Lawrence, Massachusetts who previously played at Southern Connecticut State and West Georgia University.

Geoffrey Speight Jr.

A defensive tackle from McDonough, Georgia who previously played at Virginia Military Academy and West Georgia University.

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What they’re saying

“When I came on my trip, I loved everything, man, everything. The weather. The brotherhood here. Everything about Hawaii and the program.”

— Joenel Figueroa, Safety (hawaiitribune-herald.com)

“Joenel told me how the players were hard-working and they're here with the brotherhood. Man, it was a no-brainer. I thought, 'I might as well pack heavy and go there.'”

— Geoffrey Speight Jr., Defensive Tackle (hawaiitribune-herald.com)

What’s next

Both Figueroa and Speight will look to make an immediate impact on the Hawaii defense as they compete for starting roles during the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The decisions of Figueroa and Speight to transfer from Division II West Georgia to Hawaii highlight the program's ability to attract top talent from outside the state and the appeal of playing college football in a tropical paradise.