HAWAII FOOTBALL
Warriors looking for some answers
Hawaii's fall camp begins today with a few starting spots up for grabs
There are fewer questions for the University of Hawaii football team this year than last, but they are just as big.
As UH players report today for fall camp, coach June Jones begins to really know what kind of team he will have this season. A lot depends on how hard veterans have worked over the summer, and how well newcomers have prepared for, in most cases, a whole new level of competition.
In 2005, Jones had to replace most of the Warriors' offense, and did so successfully. UH has an unprecedented wealth of talent returning on offense, led by quarterback Colt Brennan and 1,000-yard receivers Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins.
But defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville must build a defense out of returnees from a porous group in 2005, augmented by a slew of new players, especially at cornerback. The defense should get a lift from the return of free safety Leonard Peters, who got an extra year from the NCAA after a knee injury against USC ended his senior season during the first game.
Special teams also must improve if UH is to do better than its 5-7 record of last year and contend for the Western Athletic Conference championship. The addition of graduate assistant Dennis McKnight -- UH's special teams coach in 1999 and 2000 -- should inspire that part of the game.
Today, Jones sees with his own eyes what he gets to work with.
"I haven't been out there, but I know off the film that we have some good football players coming in. I'm anxious to see the freshmen and JC kids on the field," he said. "The kids are trickling in. We're excited about everybody getting on campus. Everyone's excited to get started."
The following is a quick position-by-position look at the 105 players (as of yesterday) who were expected to be on the fall-camp roster. Names in bold are No. 1 on the post-spring-practice depth chart.
QUARTERBACKS
Will Brogan,
Colt Brennan, Inoke Funaki, Tyler Graunke.
Outlook: Brennan, who led the nation in yards, total offense and touchdowns, continues to expand his understanding of the run-and-shoot offense. He won't scramble as much this year, because he will know the third and fourth passing options. Jones isn't afraid to play Graunke (who started the first two games last year), and plans to use him in certain situations.
Stat chat: Brennan passed for 300 yards or more nine times in 2005.
RUNNING BACKS
Jazen Anderson, Josh Berry, David Farmer,
Nate Ilaoa, Reagan Mauia, Jayson Rego, Siave Seti, Gabe Weisbarth
Outlook: Ilaoa, a former slotback, turned it on toward the end of last season when he finally squashed the injury bug. Mauia and Seti are both former defensive tackles. Mauia lost more than 50 pounds and is down to 285. He will be used mostly as a blocking back.
Stat chat: Ilaoa led the Warriors with 643 rushing yards and six TDs on the ground last fall.
SLOTBACKS
Davone Bess (H), Mitch Farley, Jason Ferguson,
Ryan Grice-Mullins (Y), Marquez Jackson, Pat Olchovy, Rick Taylor, Michael Washington
Outlook: Bess and Grice-Mullins were the most productive pair of freshman receivers in the program's history last year, both going for over 1,000 yards receiving and combining for 26 touchdowns. Expect more of the same this year, especially when linebackers try to cover them. Ferguson and Washington are the first layer of excellent depth.
Stat chat: Bess tied the NCAA freshman record with 14 touchdown catches.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Ross Dickerson (Z), David Kaihenui, Malcolm Lane, Dylan Linkner, Antwan Mahaley,
Chad Mock (X), Jason Rivers, Ian Sample
Outlook: Another loaded position, especially if Sample's NCAA appeal for an additional season is answered in the positive. Dickerson was quiet and effective last fall, and Mock picked up for Sample when he injured a knee. Rivers, a speedy, athletic and good-sized target at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, looks even better than when he was at his best at the end of the 2004 season. He is back after a year off rehabilitating his grade-point average.
Stat chat: Dickerson set his single-game receiving yardage mark of 116 against USC last fall.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Keith Ah-Soon, Conrad Allen-Jones, Kavan Bannigan,
Tala Esera (LT),
John Estes (RG), Brysen Ginlack, Raphael Ieru, Daniel Johnson, Marques Kaonohi, Aaron Kia, Jared Lene, Laupepa Letuli, Joey Lipp, Nathan McKay, Larry Sauafea,
Samson Satele (C),
Hercules Satele (LG), Keoni Steinhoff, Adrian Thomas, Clarence Tuioti-Mariner,
Dane Uperesa (RT)
Outlook: Strong and experienced where you need to be, especially in this type of offense -- at the tackles and center. Samson Satele moved to center from left guard, and he's the leader. Esera and Uperesa are also seniors who have also started since they were freshmen. Kaonohi, another senior, will battle Estes and Hercules Satele for a starting job.
Stat chat: Samson Satele allowed two sacks in 578 pass attempts last year.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Ikaika Alama-Francis (RE), Fale Laeli,
Mike Lafaele (NT), Kahai LaCount, Jason Laumoli, Rocky Savaiigaea, Renolds Fruean,
Melila Purcell (LE), Elliott Purcell, David Veikune, Keala Watson, Lawrence Wilson
Outlook: The Warriors' front three has beefed up over the summer, especially Alama-Francis, who is up to 290 pounds. Depth will be key, as UH needs two solid groups to deal with teams that will try to run it up the gut against the 3-4. Wilson at nose and Watson and Laeli at the ends are the top candidates for the second rotation.
Stat chat: Melila Purcell's tackles dropped from 74 in 2004 to 47 last year, due to injuries and the switch from the 4-3.
LINEBACKERS
C.J. Allen-Jones (WILL), Victor Clore,
Solomon Elimimian (BUCK), Victor Fergerstrom, Tyson Kafentzis, R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane, Micah Lau,
Adam Leonard (MAC), Karl Noa, Timo Paepule, Khevin Peoples, Amani Purcell*, Joshua Rice, Rustin Saole,
Brashton Satele (STUB), Blaze Soares
Outlook: The loss for the season of potential starter John Fonoti and the question mark next to Purcell's name hurt the depth at outside linebacker. But it might create more opportunity for Satele, Allen-Jones, Kafentzis and others. Elimimian and Leonard come off solid freshman seasons, but will be pushed by Soares.
Stat chat: Elimimian is the team's leading returning tackler with 83 stops (second on the 2005 team).
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Kirk Alexander, Josh Aufai, Chris Camacho, JoPierre Davis, Guyton Galdeira,
C.J. Hawthorne (RCB), Geoff Hayth, Keenan Jones,
Brad Kalilimoku (SS), Stephen Lei, Gerard Lewis, Michael Malala,
A.J. Martinez (LCB), Myron Newberry, Jacob Patek, Kenny Patton, Erik Pedersen,
Leonard Peters (FS), Dane Porlas, Gregory Salas, Spencer Smith, C.J. Tausaga, Desmond Thomas.
Outlook: Martinez and Hawthorne are not locks as starters by any means, and three or four guys on either side will get serious consideration. Peters will be expected to lead, including guiding Kalilimoku, who moved from linebacker last spring. Keao Monteilh and Ryan Keomaka, who started last year, could return to the team when school starts.
Stat chat: Porlas and Patton are the only DBs in camp with interceptions last year for UH -- one each.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Britton Forester (K), Kenji Holloway (P/WR),
Jake Ingram (S),
Dan Kelly (K),
Kurt Milne (P).
Outlook: Kelly got the kicking job as a true freshman last year and improved steadily. Milne heads into his fourth season as a starter. Ingram is a former defensive lineman who will only snap now. Dickerson will get the first crack at returning kicks.
Stat chat: The Warriors averaged just 6.5 yards per punt return while allowing 15.7.