[ UH FOOTBALL ]
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Offensive lineman Uriah Moenoa stretched out on the new FieldTurf during the Warriors' first practice on Aloha Stadium's new surface last night.
Warriors
welcome
new arrivalsNCAA rules allow
additional walk-ons
to begin practice today
Some new faces join the Hawaii football team at practice this morning.
With the start of school today, the NCAA's 105-player limit for fall camp is no longer, and more walk-ons can practice with the team.
Several walk-ons have been hanging around practices this month, watching and waiting to get into the action.
"We have a board with their names, but I don't even know who those guys are," said UH coach June Jones, who can't talk about them before they're actually on the team, anyway.
They include former Pac-Five safety/linebacker Alika Durington, Northern Illinois transfer defensive end Frank Pjols, former Hilo linebackers Daniel Murray and Zach Lee Ho, and Washington State transfer safety Tui Ava'ava.
Transfers from other colleges can practice with the team, but must sit out a year before they can play. Walk-ons from high schools or who have graduated with associate's degrees from junior colleges are eligible without sitting out a year.
Jones said he doesn't expect any newcomers to crack the two-deep chart in time for Saturday's season-opener against Appalachian State.
"But if they can run and they're accountable and they've worked out and everything, we'll figure out a way to get them out there and special teams to get them in and stuff," Jones said.
Rhode ready: Sophomore quarterback Jeff Rhode says there's a big difference between being No. 3 and No. 2. With the one-game suspension of Tim Chang and elevation of Jason Whieldon to No. 1 quarterback, Rhode is now next in line to play.
"I'm real excited. I hope Jason does very well, get a big lead so I can go in and get some experience mopping up. I'll be ready even if it's just one play," said Rhode, who has yet to play in a college game two years after arriving at UH.
Receivers out: Junior wide receiver Kanale George is not expected to return to the team and junior college transfer Rene Melson won't be joining the Warriors this season, receivers coach Ron Lee said.
Lee said he is not sure about junior Mark Tate.
Waiting his turn: Junior slot receiver Blake Harano had a good fall camp, but is stuck in a logjam at one of UH's deepest positions. And that's OK with the 5-foot-5, 145-pound JC transfer who prepped at Roosevelt and has two years left to play two seasons.
"I'm a newcomer, so I'm not expecting anything," he said. "I'd like to be on one of the first groups, but I'm here to pay my dues."
Harano was a star, though, Friday night at the team's annual rookie show, where players do impersonations of each other and the coaches for the enjoyment of the seniors.
"I just played a small part. I was TC (quarterback Tim Chang) throwing an interception and Coach Jones (played by Rhode) was being really nice, saying, 'That's OK, that's OK, you're Timmy Chang.'"
Junior defensive lineman Matt Faga's high-pitched impersonation of "Warrior" mascot Vili Fehoko was another hit.
Practice schedule: The Warriors practice this morning and then go to their regular schedule of 7 to 9 a.m., Tuesday through Thursday. Friday afternoon walk-throughs are not open to the public.
The Warriors practiced last night at Aloha Stadium for the first time since the new FieldTurf surface was installed.
Appalachian State is scheduled to arrive Thursday.
