RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Quarterback hopefuls Colt Brennan, left, and Jeff Rhode took a break in the action during the team's first practice yesterday.

UH’s opening grade a ‘D’

Coaches are "disappointed"
in some players’ conditioning,
though a few shine early

The excitement of the first day of Hawaii football practice yesterday was tempered by the D word. Both June Jones and Mel deLaura said they were "disappointed" by some of the results of the Warriors' 10x220 yards conditioning test.

"I think we're in real good condition, but I'm disappointed in a few guys who didn't do what they were supposed to do who we were counting on," said Jones, UH's seventh-year head coach. "Someone will pass them by because of that."

DeLaura, the strength and conditioning coach, was also less than elated.

"I'm kind of disappointed in some guys. It comes down to what they do in the summer and it shows here," he said. "I think we could've been a lot better."

The failures of some made the individuals who showed up in great shape stand out more.

Sophomore Chris Cole was the only running back to complete the test. The 5-foot-9, 203-pound converted linebacker improved his stock in one of many wide-open competitions for playing time on a team that lost 13 starters from last year's 8-5 season.

"I did a little bit of training with (former UH running back) John West, running hills, building up my endurance and stamina, making my legs stronger," Cole said. "I knew what was coming this time; last year was kind of overwhelming. It was definitely some hard work. I've got to prove myself. Everybody does."

It's easy to see where senior defensive end Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan spent the summer: in the weight room. The 6-foot-6 former basketball player weighed in at 294 pounds, and he proved yesterday it's a good 294 by completing all his 220s in the prescribed time.

"I put on a little weight -- I hope it will help me in the kind of defense we're going to play now," Akpan said. "I'm going to get some double-teams, I'll be playing against some bigger linemen, the guards. You've got to be pound-for-pound. The weight you can put on will help you. I think I'm in good shape."

DeLaura said the news isn't all bad, and he remains optimistic.

"A couple of those kids came in top shape. (Offensive linemen) Aaron Kia. Laupepa (Leituli), obviously he did something up there. Dane (Uperesa), Derek (Fa'avi). Chris Cole was up in the mainland, I'm not taking credit for that. He worked hard.

"We're going to get in shape. It could've been better," he added.

RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii's Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan reported at 6-foot-6, 294 pounds and passed his conditioning requirements yesterday.

That didn't bother Leonard Peters too much. The senior safety completed his career with 5-for-5 on the conditioning test.

"I was tightening up about eight or nine. I was surprised I got to 10," said Peters, who ran them barefoot. "I was fortunate to make it every year. It's not an easy test to run. Trust me. As you can see, a lot of people were throwing up and having a hard time running. You can tell who worked hard."

Second-year freshman quarterback Tyler Graunke was among that group.

"After the 10th one you don't have to run again until Aug. 25 and it's all worth it," he said. "I'm just trying to show everybody that I really do care about this and I want to succeed."

The first day of the quarterback derby between Graunke and roommate Colt Brennan -- with Inoke Funaki, Jeff Rhode and Anthony Gardner also in the mix in that order -- did not resolve anything. Jones did not expect it to.

"It was Colt's first day, so there's no way he's going to know everything," he said. "Tyler's about where I expected him to be. We'll take two to three weeks to evaluate them."

All the quarterbacks had their moments yesterday, but they were also off-target often to eyes used to seeing an accurate Tim Chang the past several seasons.

"It was a little sloppy, a lot of new guys, but we're going to be fine," said Graunke, who completed a nice long pass to walk-on freshman Adam Linwood. Another walk-on, Andre Taylor, made a sweet over-the-shoulder grab. "There's a lot of new receivers and you can tell everyone wants to learn and wants to win so bad."

Short yardage: Sophomore tackle Michael Lafaele said he plans to remain on defense. The converted offensive lineman had the option to return to the other side of the line of scrimmage. ... Gardner, a walk-on, wore Chang's No. 14. ... Walk-on receiver Mikhail Powell, a cousin of safety Landon Kafentzis and linebacker Tyson Kafentzis, changed his last name to Kafentzis recently. If he makes the team, he will be the eighth Kafentzis to play football for UH.