Hawaii’s new recruits
hit the field ready to play
A total of 54 of the 104 Hawaii football players at fall camp yesterday completed all 10 of their 220-yard runs to pass their conditioning test.
Strength and conditioning coach Mel deLaura said it is the most to do so since UH began administering the test in 1999.
"Usually it's around 40," he said.
DeLaura said yesterday afternoon's rain helped a little bit, but excellent conditioning by incoming players was a bigger factor.
"The difference was the kids who came in. We never had a group of freshmen and JC transfers in shape like that. Unbelievable," he said. "They're the real deal. They didn't come to sit down or redshirt. They came to play."
Quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs and defensive backs had 35 seconds for each 220. Defensive ends, linebackers and kickers had 38 seconds, and defensive tackles and offensive linemen had 40.
"The long-snapper made it, too," deLaura said, referring to JC transfer Bryce Runge, who ran with the 38-second group.
One newcomer who didn't complete 10 runs was freshman speedster receiver Andrew Pearman. He did seven.
"Unfortunately, I didn't stretch enough and I started getting tight," Pearman said. "It's my fault, the coaches always warn you about stretching enough."
Pearman, one of the most exciting prospects in the new class, has been in Hawaii working out for nearly a month.
"I already feel like it's a home away from home. The first couple days, it was like, 'wow it's Hawaii.' It's home now, and I feel good about it," said Pearman, who is from North Carolina. "No more razzle and dazzle of the recruiting trip, but I'm having fun and can't wait to get started with the college life and college football."
Nate's weight: Tell junior slotback Nate Ilaoa he's looking big these days. He has an answer.
"I am," he said.
Before camp opened coach June Jones estimated Ilaoa's weight at 230 pounds -- which is significant, considering Ilaoa's height is listed -- perhaps generously -- at 5-9. He's listed on the latest roster at 240.
Jones doesn't care about numbers or height-weight charts, just that Ilaoa can still make moves and hit top speed.
So is it good weight or bad weight?
"Right now with my knee I don't think any weight's good," Ilaoa said. He's coming off a partial ACL tear that ended his season in last year's first game. "I gotta shed some pounds."
Ilaoa said the extra bulk came mostly from weight lifting and doesn't know if he could carry it under normal circumstances. He feels healthy, but considering his history he's aiming to play at a lighter weight to avoid any extra stress or pounding on the knee.
All in this together: Line- backer Patrick Lavar Harley was one of several UH players to fall just short in yesterday's conditioning test. Harley made it to No. 8.
"Sad," he said, shaking his head with a smile. "It was sad."
As one who didn't pass, Harley said he will have to run for the rest of camp as punishment. But those who fall short aren't left behind.
"Even if I made it I'd probably still be running with the guys who didn't make it," Harley said. "Just to be supportive, you know what I mean?"
Not everyone would be so supportive. But this is a football team.
"I'm sure a lot of guys are going to be doing that for us," Harley said.
"I don't know about everybody, but I know the linebackers will be doing it. The linebackers who made it, they'll run with us."
Short yardage: Sophomore wide receiver Jason Rivers was not at practice yesterday. Rivers cut it close academically, but said he'd passed a Friday exam he needed. "He's waiting to get signed off on some things," Jones said. ... Senior right guard Uriah Moenoa weighed in officially at 336 pounds after losing 40 pounds since last spring. "They're gonna make me get on the scale again, because no one believes it," he said. Moenoa did not run yesterday because of a slight knee sprain. ... Transfer cornerback Turmarian Moreland was among a group of DBs getting up to speed after the rest of the team finished practice. "It's a little different than JC, but I'm going to get it," he said.