Peters gives Glanville
punch

The free safety has run himself to
the top of the new defensive
coordinator’s class

A little more than a week on the job, Jerry Glanville is still trying to match numbers and names.

But when you ask about "No. 42," Hawaii's new defensive coordinator knows exactly who you're talking about.

"Free safety," Glanville said with enthusiasm after yesterday's spring practice. "Leonard Peters."

The senior from Kahuku had just caught Glanville's attention a few minutes earlier. Peters forced a fumble as the Warrior first strings went against each other, highlighting a day of being at the right place on the right plays and getting there quicker than anyone else.

"Right now, I think he's got unbelievable speed. He may be the fastest free safety I've ever coached," said Glanville, who had some good ones in the NFL, including Ray Easterling and Scott Case with the Falcons.

"I'm impressed with his speed, and I'm impressed with his intelligence," Glanville said of Peters. "Now, we won't know until we hit, but he's gotta hit like they hit."

The numbers seem to indicate Peters has the ability to do that. He was in on a team-high 120 stops last season. But while Peters improved as the season went along on tackling with authority -- sometimes behind the line of scrimmage, or near it -- many of the stops were pushes or drag-downs after long gains.

That's what happens when a defense underachieves; the safeties make a lot of tackles. A good example is Peters' career-high 16 stops against Boise State; but he couldn't celebrate, because it happened in a 69-3 loss.

Glanville said the free safety always makes a lot of tackles on his defense -- in wins, too.

"My safeties are always right at the top of the list," he said.

Peters is listed at 6-feet-1 and 184 pounds on the spring roster; he's finally been able to keep some weight on after playing at around 170 his first three seasons. Yesterday he said he is at 190 pounds.

More punch is one thing. Peters is also looking forward to improving his technique.

"Coach Glanville said he's going to be the best professor on campus. A professor of tackling and playing defense," he said.

Peters enjoys the accelerated tempo of practice under Glanville.

"I like it. Last year we weren't really tackling. What we're doing now is a lot more realistic and will help us in games," he said. "We have a lot of coaches who were NFL coaches, and we have (defensive backs coach) Rich Miano, who used to play in the NFL. I think we have an all-star coaching staff."

Peters gets the same kind of respect back from the coaches.

"I've always thought of him (as a leader) this year," head coach June Jones said. "He's smart, he's a great kid. He's a heckuva player and he has been since he got here."

Purcell expected back today: Defensive end Mel Purcell will likely be at practice this morning, Jones said.

Purcell was taken to a hospital by ambulance after he collapsed during Tuesday's practice. He was diagnosed with a concussion.

Jones said he won't be rushed back into participation.

Another defensive end, Karl Noa, is out with a shoulder injury.

Distinguished guest: UH president David McClain visited practice yesterday, and Glanville was introduced to him.

"I told El Presidente he should come running with us," Glanville said. When told McClain used to be an outstanding bowler, Glanville seemed ready to adjust.

"Hey, I used to teach bowling," he said.

Short yardage: Freshman kicker CJ Santiago is not on the spring roster and has been cut from the team. ... Senior receiver Rene Melson is seeking an additional year of eligibility from the NCAA, but is also not working out with the team this spring.