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Warriors always
on the move

Shifting players to find
the position that suits them
is part of coach Jones' strategy

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As far as Hawaii defensive coordinator George Lumpkin is concerned, a football player is a football player.

And, sometimes, a basketball player is a football player.

Of the 11 Warriors who lined up as the starting defense yesterday, 12 days before the season opener, only five did not have former-something in front of his name, including former basketball forward Tony Akpan, who is now a defensive end.

It doesn't bother Lumpkin, the Warriors defensive coordinator, nor June Jones. In fact, shifting athletes to find the right positions for them has been part of Jones' strategy since he became UH head coach in 1999.

"Yeah, we move quite a few people around," Lumpkin said. "But hey, we're just putting them where we think they can be productive. June has an eye for that kind of thing, and we just follow his lead."

Some changes are more successful than others.

Defensive lineman Chris Brown was moved to middle linebacker going into his junior year, and he led UH in tackles. Kevin Jackson began his Hawaii career as an outside linebacker and was moved to defensive end early on because the team lacked line depth. Although he was a solid backup there, Jackson might have thrived at linebacker, the position that NFL scouts worked him out at last spring.

Most players who are moved around appreciate the opportunity to learn a position where they probably have a better chance of getting on the field. Jones usually leaves it up to the players if they want to switch, although sometimes it is strongly suggested they at least give a certain spot a try.

Senior Chad Kapanui might have set a record for most attempted positions.

"I'm kind of disappointed in a way, it's about patience. I wasn't patient about staying at one position, and I'm right back where I started from," Kapanui said.

Sort of.

He came to UH in 2000 as a quarterback, and was quickly moved to linebacker, then to running back and safety.

"I just went all around," he said.

Kapanui has settled in at outside linebacker, though, and is being counted on heavily going into his final season -- as a performer and a leader.

"It's my last year now, and I'm meeting all these rookies and young boys," he said. "They're lucky. They're learning so many things. They've got so many years to come and we're getting them started now."

Lumpkin said this is a key week for several newcomers. If they absorb the defensive schemes, they might be able to play Sept. 4 against Florida Atlantic.

"We've got some guys we feel have that athleticism and are moving along quite nicely," he said.

He mentioned freshman linebackers Khevin Peoples and C.J. Allen-Jones and defensive tackle Lafu Tuioti-Mariner and JC-transfer cornerback Turmarian Moreland among those who might be able to contribute immediately.

"We'll see how this week goes. We're not really adding anything to the defense, we're just fine-tuning. We'll know a lot more at the end of this week. It's a big week for those guys," Lumpkin said.

Defensive end Mel Purcell, defensive tackle Lui Fuga and outside linebacker Paul Lutu-Carroll are all out injured now, but are expected to return in time for the opener.

Even if they do, it's a glaring reminder that depth is important, and some of the rookies will likely be key backups.

"There's a lot of new faces, new names, people learning what to do. Some are still struggling a little bit, but they're getting better everyday. I think they'll be real good players," Lumpkin said. "We also have vets who are a good example of how to work hard and be smart."

Rhode returns: Fourth-year junior quarterback Jeff Rhode reported yesterday along with around 20 other veterans and walk-ons who weren't in fall camp.

Rhode was among those in the group who completed all 10 of their 220-yard conditioning runs.

The 105 roster limit ended yesterday, the first day of school.

"I don't know how to take it, what it means, or what they want me to do," Rhode said. "I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do. I'm just taking care of what I know I'm supposed to do."

There are six quarterbacks in camp, and Jones said Rhode won't be getting reps with them. Rhode said moving to another position probably isn't an option for him.

"I don't think I'm anything else but a quarterback," he said. "I don't really know what's going to happen here. It looks bleak right now, but I'm sure it'll be fine. A lot of people would probably quit in my situation or go somewhere else. A lot have. But I'm committed to here. I've got two more years. I'll stay here, hopefully they'll keep me."

When asked what Rhode's role is, Jones said, "He's one of the quarterbacks on our team."

Hamstrings better: True freshman receiver Andrew Pearman's tender hamstring is finally better to the point that he can participate in drills.

"I'm definitely not back to 100 percent. Probably 80, 82, 82.5," Pearman said after yesterday's practice. "I'm definitely getting as much treatment as I can on it. I didn't compete in everything today, just little steps. I want to get in the mix of things and hopefully help the team out."

Pearman, who ran a 10.3 electronically timed 100 meters last year, fastest among North Carolina high school athletes, said he enjoyed watching the Olympic final in that event Sunday.

"That was sweet. An amazing race," Pearman said.

Pearman said he didn't hesitate committing to UH because of its lack of a men's track and field program.

"It was never a tough decision. I really enjoyed track, but football's where my heart is," he said.

Third-year sophomore receiver Denny Flanagan has battled a hamstring injury since his senior year of high school in 2002. He was among those who completed his 220s yesterday.

"It went really well actually. I felt ready for them and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be," said Flanagan, who planned to run pass routes in practice today. "It's the best I've been since I originally hurt it. I'm really close to where I think I can be."