RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Nate Ilaoa has missed most of the last two seasons for Hawaii with injuries.

Ilaoa making his way back

This preseason camp amounts to a daily trust-building exercise for Nate Ilaoa.

A surgically mended right knee and a troublesome shoulder kept the Hawaii receiver out of action most of the last two seasons, and he admitted to being tentative about testing either when he returned for spring practice in March.

But as the Warriors open fall camp, he's gradually regaining the faith that his knee will hold up when he makes a sharp cut and his shoulder will be able to absorb that first pop.

"You try not to focus on (the injuries) or think about that, but it'll be there," Ilaoa said after yesterday afternoon's workout "As long as you keep getting strength, cut on it, run routes on it, every day it gets better and better."

Although Ilaoa hasn't played in a game since the 2003 opener against Appalachian State, he is still one of the most experienced players -- and among the few familiar names -- on a youthful UH offense that must replace all of its starters at the skill positions this season.

But after close to two years on the bench, Ilaoa will have to regain the trust of the UH coaching staff in order to reclaim a starting spot this fall. That process has not gotten off to a rousing start, as Ilaoa reported at 248 pounds and was among the players who didn't complete yesterday's series of 220-yard runs.

"He didn't report in shape and it's disappointing," UH head coach June Jones said. "We've got a bunch of receivers in shape, so somebody will get in there. ... I was expecting a whole lot more."

Ilaoa said he expects the weight to drop off during the 28 practices leading up to the season opener against USC on Sept. 3, and hopes to be somewhere under 230 by then.

He is slated to compete for playing time at both running back and receiver this season. He played both positions at North Stafford (Va.) High School and earned Metro Player of the Year honors in 2001.

After spending much of spring drills learning running back duties, Ilaoa said he'll do most of his work in camp as a slot receiver.

"I'm going to go at the slot so I can get more in condition, plus get the mental reps back as far as running patterns," he said. "Running back is not easy, but it's not as much. In the spring I put that all in, I just have to get the feel of it again."

Injuries have limited Ilaoa to 13 games since joining the UH program in 2001. Though hampered by a shoulder injury most of the season, he amassed 532 receiving yards in 12 games as a redshirt freshman in 2002.

His sophomore year ended abruptly when he tore the ACL in his right knee early against Appalachian State, and he hasn't played since. He was granted a medical hardship after having surgery. His recovery and another sore shoulder derailed his efforts to return last season.

"I feel like I'm coming in as a freshman again," he said.

"It has been (frustrating) watching those two seasons go by. They went to SC (in 2003), beating Alabama, a lot of good things that happened. Now days it's more anticipation and focusing on what's coming up."

As he works his way into shape and tries to recall the patterns, one of the toughest parts of camp may be learning the names of the players around him this season.

"I probably have more starts than all the receivers put together, and that was two or three years ago," he said. "So it's going to be tough, but I think we have a lot of young talent and some good guys who are really focused on getting the job done this year.

"I was with Britt (Komine), Gerald (Welch) and Chad (Owens) for the longest time," he said. "We were really close friends. It's going to be tough without them, but it's always good to see these (new) guys. You never know what's going to happen."