Position-by-position spring outlook
Staff writer Dave Reardon takes a position-by-position look at Hawaii football as the Warriors head into spring football practice looking to replace seven starters on offense and six on defense from the most successful team in program history. Names in italics are of players who have started at least one game at UH (not necessarily at current position):
QUARTERBACKS
10-Shane Austin (6-0, 185, Fr.),
11-Inoke Funaki (5-11, 195, Jr.),
6-Tyler Graunke (6-0, 190, Sr.), 13-Bryce Kalauokaaea (6-1, 200, Fr.),
12-Kiran Kepo'o (6-1, 220, Fr.),
8-Jake Santos (5-11, 200, Sr.).
Coach: Nick Rolovich.
Outlook: The starting spot is "wide-open," said coach Greg McMackin, but Funaki goes into camp taking the first snaps. Graunke and Austin are bracketed at No. 2. Graunke is the most experienced by far, but he must regain his previous status as Colt Brennan's heir apparent with a strong spring. The quarterback who comes out ahead at the end of April still must fend off JC transfers Greg Alexander and Brent Rausch.
RUNNING BACKS
29--Camron Carmona (5-8, 170, Sr.),
38-Mario Cox (5-11, 230, Jr.), 23--Alonzo Chopp (6-0, 240, Sr.),
48-David Farmer (6-1, 225, Sr.), 19-Jake Heun (6-1, 255, Jr.),
30-Kimo Leung-Choi (5-10, 205, So.),
26-Daniel Libre (5-8, 185, Sr.),
22-Jayson Rego (5-9, 215, Jr.),
42-Korey Reynolds (6-3, 230, Fr.),
4-Leon Wright-Jackson, (6-1, 210, Jr.).
Coach: Alex Gerke.
Outlook: The running back will do much more running in offensive coordinator Ron Lee's version of the run-and-shoot than in June Jones', especially with a new starting quarterback. That's why Libre and Wright-Jackson enter camp ahead of Farmer, an expert blocker but not the swiftest afoot. Physically, Cox is exactly what Lee is looking for. If he remains focused and healthy he could play a lot in the fall. Libre and Wright-Jackson will get some slotback reps this spring.
RECEIVERS
84-Joe Avery (6-5, 180, Fr.),
85-Aaron Bain (5-9, 190, Sr.),
41-Jimmy Flanagan (6-0, 190, Jr.),
82-Jett Jasper (6-1, 200, Fr.),
89-Malcolm Lane (6-2, 184, Jr.), 39-Troy Lauduski (6-0, 175, Fr.),
81-Dylan Linkner (6-0, 205, Sr.),
80-Daniel Lofton (6-3, 200, So.),
20-Jon Medeiros (5-8, 195, Jr.),
47-Nate Nasca (5-8, 165, Sr.),
45-Benedict Noy (5-8, 175, Fr.),
83-Miah Ostrowski (5-9, 170, Fr.),
21-Kealoha Pilares (5-11, 190, So.), 37-Royce Pollard (6-2, 175, Fr.),
1-Greg Salas (6-2, 196, So.),
88-Eric Shaffer (5-9, 185, Fr.),
5-Mike Washington, (5-7, 175, Sr.).
Coaches: Ron Lee (also offensive coordinator) and Craig Stutzmann (graduate assistant).
Outlook: All four receivers from the most productive group of pass catchers in the nation are gone. Lane and Washington have three career starts among them. Salas at left wideout and Bain at the right slot join them in the initial first group. Pilares moves to slot after leading UH in rushing as a freshman last year. Lanky wideouts Avery and Pollard displayed a lot of potential in practice last fall. Lofton, a Cal transfer, is the son of one of the NFL's greatest receivers, James Lofton.
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OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
62-Keith AhSoon (6-1, 315, Sr.),
69-Cameron Allen-Jones (6-2, 275, Jr.),
71-Travis Campbell (6-4, 276, Fr.),
55-John Estes (6-2, 290, Jr.), 52-Andrew Faaumu (6-2, 340, Fr.),
63-Brysen Ginlack (6-2, 290, So.),
61-Austin Hansen (6-4, 280, Fr.),
64-Ray Hisatake (6-3, 315, Jr.),
74-Raphael Ieru (6-2, 310, Jr.),
79-Daniel Johnson (6-4, 290, Jr.),
60-Lucas Kennard (6-1, 255, Fr.),
77-Aaron Kia (6-5, 300, Jr.),
72-Clayton Laurel (6-2, 275, Fr.),
56-Sila Lefiti (6-0, 290, Fr.),
53-Levi Legay (6-3, 270),
50-Laupepa Letuli (6-3, 290, Jr.),
54-Elmer Lim (5-11, 300, Fr.),
58-Joey Lipp (6-3, 275, So.),
76-Nathan McKay (6-2, 280, Sr.),
70-Daniel Otineru (6-3, 285, Sr.),
51-Les Soloai (6-4, 290, So.),
78-Keoni Steinhoff (6-3, 282, Sr.),
66-Adrian Thomas (6-5, 315, So.),
51-Lafu Tuioti-Mariner (6-0, 285, Sr.),
73-Drew Uperesa (6-2, 245, Fr.).
Coaches: Brian Smith and Alex Gerke.
Outlook: The Warriors return three players who started every game on the offensive line, but no one is assured a job, other than All-WAC center John Estes, whom McMackin calls one of the best in the country at his position. The front five has traditionally been the pride of the team, but it must recover from allowing eight sacks in the Sugar Bowl. Tuioti-Mariner may finally get his chance to start, at right guard. AhSoon starts spring as the No. 1 left guard. Steinhoff retains his right tackle spot for now (he'll likely get big-time comp from JC transfer Kainoa LaCount in the summer), and it's at least a three-way tussle at left tackle with Hisatake, Kia and Letuli competing.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
33-C.J. Allen-Jones (6-2, 220, Sr.),
98-Quentin Beaver (6-1, 350, Fr.),
46-Victor Clore (6-3, 245, Jr.),
58-John Fonoti (6-3, 250, Jr.),
91-Chris Leatigaga (6-4, 290, Sr.),
99-Josh Leonard (6-3, 274, Sr.),
80-Antwan Mahaley (6-5, 215, Jr.),
98-Francis Maka (6-2, 240, Sr.),
95-Vaughn Meatoga (6-2, 285, Fr.),
90-Elliott Purcell (6-3, 240, So.),
92-Rocky Savaiigaea (6-2, 300, Jr.),
97-Alasi Toilolo (6-3, 255, Fr.),
49-Tuika Tufaga (6-3, 285, Jr.),
94-David Veikune (6-3, 250, Sr.),
68-Keahi Watson (6-1, 300, So.),
93-Keala Watson (6-3, 300, Sr.).
Coaches: Dave Aranda (ends) and Ikaika Malloe (tackles)
Outlook: With tackle Fale Laeli coming off knee surgery, none of last year's regular starters will be available for spring practice. But the defensive front remains very deep. McMackin told ends Veikune (All-WAC despite not starting in 2007) and Fonoti to make sure they're in shape, because they'll play many more snaps and won't be secret weapons this time around. Tackle Keala Watson has developed as a team leader. He wants to show he has worked hard enough to play in more than just the run-stopping packages, as does another tackle Savaiigaea. Allen-Jones moves in from outside linebacker. Maka, an end is awaiting clearance from the NCAA for another year of eligibility.
LINEBACKERS
40-Po'okela Ahmad (6-1, 225, So.),
17-Solomon Elimimian (6-0, 220, Sr.), 8-Tyson Kafentzis (6-1, 220, Sr.), 59-R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane (5-11, 225, Jr.),
41-Kevin Konrath (6-3, 220, Fr.),
44-Adam Leonard (6-0, 235, Sr.), 68-Jared Lene (6-3, 220, So.),
50-Mana Lolotai (6-0, 220, So.),
52-Cory Paredes (5-10, 220, Fr.),
47-Joshua Rice (5-11, 210, Jr.),
56-Luke Rice (5-9, 210, Fr.),
13-Brashton Satele (6-1, 245, Jr.),
53-Blaze Soares (6-1, 240, Jr.).
Coach: Cal Lee (also defensive coordinator).
Outlook: This has become the team's most high-profile unit, and Elimimian, Leonard and Soares will be very difficult to beat out for the starting spots. Elimimian and Leonard have combined for an incredible 449 tackles the past two years, and Leonard tied for the team lead with four interceptions in 2007. Soares is one of the hardest hitters in the WAC, if not the country. There is plenty of depth: Kafentzis started eight games in 2006, McMackin said Satele is ready to make a breakthrough, and Kiesel-Kauhane is also considered game-ready.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
26-Josh Aufai (5-11, 200, Sr.),
38-MacArthur Cheek (5-9, 175, So.),
16-JoPierre Davis (6-0, 200, Jr.),
3-Jameel Dowling (6-3, 205, Sr.),
37-Kenny Estes (6-0, 193, So.),
25-Evan Miller (6-0, 190, Sr.),
35-Keao Monteilh (5-11, 195, Sr.), 2-Ryan Mouton (5-10, 180, Sr.), 28-Erik Pedersen (6-0, 199, Jr.),
27-Khevin Peoples (5-11, 202, Sr.),
34-Ryan Perry (5-7, 170, Sr.),
30-Dane Porlas (5-10, 185, Sr.),
23-Calvin Roberts (5-11, 190, Sr.),
43-Mana Silva (6-1, 205, So.),
31-Spencer Smith (5-11, 195, So.),
22-Steven Stepter (5-9, 190, Fr.),
27-Chris Thorpe (5-7, 190, Sr.),
24-Desmond Thomas (6-3, 175, Sr.), 19-Richard Torres (5-7, 170, Fr.),
45-Devion Volta-Johnson (5-10, 200, Jr.).
Coaches: Rich Miano and George Lumpkin (cornerbacks).
Outlook: UH loses dependable starters at both corners, but Mouton should lock down one side, and Davis has steadily improved with maturity and gets the first shot at the other outpost. Monteilh and Thomas were oft criticized by fans, but both made their share of big plays last fall. Hard-hitting Erik Robinson, Viliami Nauahi and potential-filled Le'Marcus Gibson return in the fall to push them, and Estes, Porlas and Smith will do the same this spring. Miano is impressed with Oregon transfer Dowling's quick feet and toughness, and his versatility makes him a strong candidate for nickelback.
SNAPPER
57-Jake Ingram (6-4, 235, Sr.).
KICKER
86-Dan Kelly (6-3, 210, Sr.).
Special teams coordinator: Ikaika Malloe.
Outlook: Ingram and Kelly are both three-year starters. Special teams improved overall last season from 2006, when the kicking game figured heavily in all three of UH's losses. Lane, Mouton and Washington all returned kicks for touchdowns last season. McMackin wants to try to block more kicks. "We're aggressive on offense and defense. We should be on special teams, too," he said. Punter Tim Grasso is not attending UH this semester by his own choice, but is expected back this fall.