Warriors’ depth chart
a work in progress

Jones says the post-spring-practice
chart could change dramatically
before the season opener

The University of Hawaii football team released a post-spring-practice depth chart yesterday. But coach June Jones said it might not bear much resemblance to the starting lineup when the Warriors take the field Sept. 3 at Aloha Stadium in the season opener against USC.

"You can put very little stock in that. There are lots of freshmen coming in who will be battling for starting positions," Jones said. "And we had a lot of young players injured last year who didn't play who will be in the hunt, too."

Also, Jones said the competition at quarterback is still even between freshmen Inoke Funaki and Tyler Graunke and senior Jeff Rhode. The reason they are listed in that order is as simple as the ABCs: F comes before G and G comes before R.

Junior college transfer Colt Brennan will also get reps when preseason camp starts the first week of August. It's also not inconceivable that Kainoa Akina or Jack Rolovich could find themselves back in the QB mix as the season progresses, even though they didn't make the 105-player roster for preseason camp.

And it's not a typographical error that senior Nate Ilaoa is listed No. 1 at running back and slotback.

"That's probably accurate," Jones said.

Ilaoa, a slotback his previous four years at UH, began spring practice last month at running back. Toward the end of camp he was taking reps again at slot. Jones said Ilaoa will play whatever position allows the Warriors to get the best players on the field.

Jason Rivers, the only returning starting receiver, is not on the chart. But receivers coach Ron Lee said Rivers might still make it back to the team this season despite suffering academic setbacks that forced him to take community college classes this semester.

Rivers, who appeared at several spring practices, was optimistic he would be back with the Warriors this fall.

"He knows what he needs to do," Lee said. "Even if Jason does come back, he will have some tough competition. Ian Sample had a great spring."

Kila Kamakawiwo'ole started at defensive end last season but does not appear on the current depth chart, which reflects a 4-3 defensive alignment. Coaches experimented with him at outside linebacker in certain situations in spring practice.

Defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said nothing is wrong with Kamakawiwo'ole.

"He's one of our best guys, and he's our utility guy," Singletary said. "He will certainly be in the mix."

Few positions were solidified in spring practice, but the defensive secondary is an exception. Safeties Leonard Peters and Lono Manners and cornerback Kenny Patton will be hard to dislodge in August, but Ryan Keomaka could challenge Turmarian Moreland at the other corner. Keomaka placed second in the "Hawaii's Fastest Human" race at the Punahou Relays last month.

Kickers and other specialists were not on the released depth chart. Junior Kurt Milne is the incumbent starter at punter, and junior kicker Nolan Miranda will try to fight off invited walk-on freshmen Danny Kelly and Chris Chalmers.