Sports Notebook
Star-Bulletin staff
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WARRIOR FOOTBALL
Avery, Pollard enter UH WR mix
As if Colt Brennan didn't have enough targets to throw to, he gained a couple more at yesterday's Hawaii football practice.
True freshman wide receivers Joe Avery and Royce Pollard got their first official repetitions with Brennan and his fellow quarterbacks.
Coach June Jones offered the 6-foot-4 Avery, a walk-on from Banning High School (Wilmington, Calif.) several pointers as he ran routes, some with the first team.
Avery and Pollard join an already exceptionally deep unit for the Warriors. Receivers coach Ron Lee said he is impressed.
"Two really good young guys," Lee said. "(Avery) has got some speed, got great hands, and he's smart. He's coming along nicely -- it's only been two days, two practices. But already we can tell that he knows what we're doing, he has a good understanding of defense, different coverages, and he's picking up our system."
Junior slotbacks Michael Washington and Davone Bess stayed after practice to offer the lean Avery -- who was the last man off the field -- some tips for his routes.
"Everybody here is so welcoming," said Avery, who has been in Hawaii a week. "They treat each other like brothers, so it's not like high school, where you're fighting for spots, competition, or whatever. And we all want the same thing: that's to win games."
LB Leonard practices
Junior linebacker
Adam Leonard wasn't held back long. The team leader in tackles last season (114) was suited up and practicing with the defensive starters yesterday under the eyes of defensive coordinator
Greg McMackin and linebackers coach
Cal Lee.
He was left out the first day of practice on Friday to ease his recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery in June.
Also, cornerback Keenan Jones practiced yesterday for the first time since last fall. He was held out of spring practice for off-field reasons. Jones is listed as a senior, but hopes to get a year back due to injury redshirt.
Sideline observers
Viliami Nauahi was a late scratch from UH's camp-opening roster. The 2002 Star-Bulletin All-State safety from Kahuku said he might be able to join practice as soon as Friday.
"I've waited this long, I can wait one more week," said Nauahi, who expects to complete work on an associate's degree in the coming days.
Deyon McElroy (Chaffey College, Calif.) plans to enroll at UH in January after completing his AA. The 6-foot, 175-pound cornerback said he has been timed at 4.4 in the 40.
MIA's explained
Senior cornerback
A.J. Martinez is not in camp, as he is still recovering from an offseason snowboarding accident, Jones said. The earliest he is expected back is Aug. 20, the first day of school.
Also, senior cornerback Ryan Keomaka and second-year freshman defensive end Elliott Purcell are expected to join the team as early as Friday in Keomaka's case and Aug. 20 for Purcell, Jones said.