---

Kelly named
starting kicker

June Jones says the true freshman
will start for the Warriors

Fall camp ended yesterday with many questions remaining unanswered for Hawaii football coach June Jones and the start of the season coming up in less than two weeks against USC. He was certain, however, about at least one thing.

"Dan Kelly. Yeah. Definitely," Jones said, naming the true freshman as starting kicker. "Real good leg. Looks pretty impressive. He hadn't worked with a holder and snapper for a long time. The more he's done it the better he's gotten. That's kind of what we expected. Yesterday he hit the ball real well at the stadium."

Kelly made a 53-yarder from an angle at Saturday's scrimmage.

Junior Nolan Miranda reports to practice today as the 105-player camp limit is lifted. He'll get a look, but unless his range has improved dramatically, Kelly will likely keep the job.

Kicker is just one of many openings battled for as UH undergoes the biggest personnel transition in Jones' seven seasons.

The coach doesn't expect to name starters at most positions until a few days before the game.

Here's a status report of the five competitions the Star-Bulletin considered the most intense heading into camp:

1. Quarterback

Second-year freshman Tyler Graunke and transfer sophomore Colt Brennan started camp off-target the first few practices. Brennan had a lights-out practice one week into camp, completing more than 90 percent of his passes in team drills, while Graunke struggled. But Graunke battled back the next day, and both have been steady since.

Second-year freshman Inoke Funaki has showed well in his brief opportunities with the first team. He is competing with Jeff Rhode, Jack Rolovich and Kainoa Akina (expected to report today) for No. 3 quarterback.

Jones said yesterday Graunke is still No. 1 and Brennan No. 2, and "both will play" against USC.

He said they have progressed from the start of camp, but Jones doesn't think either will be ready to throw the entire run-and-shoot playbook at the Trojans.

"In some ways they are (up to speed), in others they're not, so we'll kind of limit what we do and don't overburden them," Jones said.

2. Defensive tackle

Transfers Renolds Fruean and Reagan Mauia got the lion's share of the reps at nose tackle early in camp, but Siave Seti and Lawrence Wilson also got into the picture last week after they cleared eligibility hurdles. All could play, especially since the Warriors will use multiple defensive fronts.

Second-year freshman Keala Watson is expected to see action once his injured wrist heals.

3. Slotbacks

Injuries have created different lineups almost every day. Freshman Davone Bess is the only one of the top four candidates to remain healthy. He has also been the top performer, making spectacular catches on a daily basis.

Sophomore Jason Ferguson was enjoying an outstanding camp until a back injury slowed him last week; he returned to team drills yesterday.

Pat Olchovy also hurt his back, early in Saturday's scrimmage. He is expected back in time for the opener.

Senior Nate Ilaoa reported to camp out of shape and promptly strained a hamstring on the second day. He participated in team drills yesterday.

Sophomore Ryan Grice-Mullen practiced yesterday. He has a right shoulder sprain that has had him in and out of practice from the third day.

"It feels pretty good today," Grice-Mullen said after yesterday's session. "It's a little sore, but I knew it'd be. There's more flexibility than past days."

"We've had a bunch of injuries at receiver," Jones said. "Hopefully by game-time we'll have everybody out there ready to go."

4. Running back

Senior Bryan Maneafaiga appears to have the edge over junior Kala Latuselu, but both will likely play.

Second-year freshman David Farmer has climbed to No. 3 with his blocking skills.

A brief experiment converting freshman offensive lineman Laupepa Letuli to running back ended quickly with Letuli suffering a sprained shoulder. Sophomores Alonzo Chopp and Chris Cole have also had some reps, but Cole strained his left shoulder Saturday.

Highly regarded freshman Mario Cox was still awaiting NCAA clearance yesterday, and Jazen Anderson (brother of former NFL star Jamal Anderson) was expected to join the team today.

5. Linebackers

Seniors Tanuvasa Moe and Kila Kamakawiwo'ole (an end in 4-3) on the outside and sophomore Brad Kalilimoku and senior Ikaika Curnan on the inside are getting most of the first-team action.

Freshmen Solomon Elimimian, R.J. Keisel-Kauhane, Adam Leonard and Brashton Satele, as well as second-year freshman Khevin Peoples and sophomore C.J. Allen-Jones remain very much in the mix for playing time.

"The young players played pretty well in the scrimmage," Jones said.

Freshman B.J. Fruean has moved to safety.

Other positions

At left cornerback, senior Turmarian Moreland's sore knee has given sophomore Ryan Keomaka more opportunities. Keao Monteilh has also benefited on the other side as shutdown corner Kenny Patton needed time off, also with a sore knee. "They're all playing OK back there," Jones said.

As expected, junior Ross Dickerson has locked down a wideout spot. On the other side, senior Ian Sample (back) missed some practices and is being challenged by freshman Michael Washington.

Junior Marques Kaonohi is getting reps at center, along with three-year incumbent senior starter Derek Fa'avi and junior Outland Trophy candidate Samson Satele (normally left guard).

Junior tackles Tala Esera and Dane Uperesa appear set, as well as senior right guard Brandon Eaton.

Senior safeties Lono Manners and Leonard Peters may have the most secure starting positions on the team -- other than junior punter Kurt Milne.

At defensive end, sophomore Karl Noa, junior Ikaika Alama-Francis and freshman Jake Ingram have made the most of their opportunities. Senior Mel Purcell has one side locked down.

Bess and Ferguson are the top punt return candidates, with Washington and freshman Jayson Rego getting reps at kickoff return.