Sports Notebook
Star-Bulletin staff
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Kepo‘o works on his quarterback choreography this summer
Kiran Kepo'o is taking it one step at a time.
One small step at a time.
At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, the Hawaii freshman from Iolani School has the size to eventually quarterback at the Division I level. He said his footwork must improve, and that is his point of emphasis at informal summer workouts at UH.
"In high school we wanted to get as deep as possible after the snap," Kepo'o said. "At UH, the idea is to make the steps a little shorter."
The reasoning?
"The angle is tough for the linemen to protect you if you go back too deep," Kepo'o said. "It's a little adjustment I have to make."
For the past few weeks, Kepo'o, who will likely redshirt this season, has been working with Colt Brennan, Tyler Graunke and other Warriors quarterbacks on burning the pass routes into his head.
He's also getting in tune with the Hawaii receivers.
"Right now, it's about timing. I made it through spring practice, so I'm working on keeping my arm in shape and knowing where they're supposed to be on specific plays," he said.
Fleming offered
A safety from Akron, Ohio, was recently offered a scholarship by UH and Hawaii is No. 1 among his choices.
"Hawaii is at the top," Will Fleming said.
Fleming, a senior this fall at Archbishop Hoban High, was named first-team all-city by the Akron Beacon-Journal last year after 75 tackles, three interceptions and 10 pass breakups.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Fleming also has an offer from Akron, and has drawn interest from several Big Ten schools, including Illinois and Michigan State.
"He's pretty jacked up about Hawaii," said Fleming's father, Jim, the Akron defensive coordinator. "He's always checking them out online. I think he's trying to learn the haka."
Will Fleming said he plans to visit UH when Boise State -- where his father used to coach -- plays at Hawaii in November.
Brennan listed
Senior quarterback Brennan was named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award. The award goes to college football's top player each season, as voted by head coaches, members of the Maxwell Football Club and sportswriters and sportscasters from across the country.
Brennan was sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting last season. He led the nation in seven passing categories and broke or tied 18 NCAA records.
Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn won the Maxwell Award last year.
Dr. Robinson
Dan Robinson, who quarterbacked UH to its magical turnaround season in 1999, is now a dentist in Louisville, Ky. He's writing a column on the warriorshaka.com Web site.
"I went to Louisville for my dental degree, and I've had the chance to watch a lot of Brian Brohm. He's pretty good, but he's not Colt," Robinson writes in his first piece. "Colt brings all the intangibles. He thinks on his feet, he makes things happen, and he's got a great understanding of the offense."
The site also expects to unveil an Ask June Jones feature this week.
Clinic spots available
The Hawaii Football Clinic -- featuring individual instruction from UH coaches -- is still accepting applicants.
The dates are July 21-22 for ages 5 to 12 and July 24-27 for ages 13 to 18.
Call 261-5000 or go to www.PacificAthleticAlliance.com for information.
Short yardage
Walk-on
Daniel Libre has been shifted from running back to slotback. ... Freshman safety
Kenny Estes will also get a look at kicker. ... Several newcomers and veteran players from the mainland arrive this week in preparation for the second session of summer school that starts Monday.