DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii running back Jazen Anderson broke away from Jerry Glanville's defense for a 32-yard run in the spring scrimmage yesterday.

Warriors hit jackpot at slot

Michael Washington is presenting June Jones with one of those problems all football coaches love to have.

Too much talent.

Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins had a grand young time as freshmen last fall, each going over 1,000 yards in receiving. So Hawaii is seemingly set at the inside receiver positions for as long as they don't turn pro.

But with Washington's emergence this spring, the Warriors appear to now have, well, three slots for two slots.

Toss in dependable Aaron Bain -- who is also merely a sophomore in 2006 -- along with knee-rehabbing Jason Ferguson, and the Warriors are loaded at the position.

Yesterday, freshman third-string quarterback Inoke Funaki hooked up with Washington for a 75-yard touchdown at UH's scrimmage concluding spring camp.

Yes, it was against defenders who were backups for one of the worst defenses in the nation last year. But it was a thing of beauty regardless, highlighting Funaki's big-play ability and Washington's speed.

Washington played a bit at wideout last fall as a true freshman, but the 5-foot-7, 155-pound sprinter is a natural fit at slot. He caught 13 passes for 86 yards in 2005, but never seemed quite at ease.

"He got to play as a freshman, but you grow up as you get a little bit more mature," Jones said. "Getting him on the field then is helping him now."

Washington's confidence overflowed yesterday after the scrimmage. He doesn't sound like a guy stuck behind two players who received freshman All-America honors last season.

"I'm excited about slot. You put a linebacker on me, you're asking for a touchdown. I just came out here ready to play and ready to go," he said.

Project Brad: The first-team defense was on the field for the first five plays, and that included junior Brad Kalilimoku at strong safety -- instead of inside linebacker, which he played last year.

It might be the most important position switch for the team going into 2006, and it looks like it might work, despite a mid-camp setback when Kalilimoku couldn't practice because of a hamstring pull.

"He's had a real productive spring and we have great hopes for his future," Jones said.

Hawthorne finds a home: While defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville wasn't happy with his group overall yesterday, he is pleased with C.J. Hawthorne's progress at cornerback.

"He's the most pleasant surprise of camp," Glanville said.

Hawthorne came to Hawaii more noted for his receiver skills, but for the past week has worked out at cornerback. He looks like a natural at the position.

"He's very conscientious, very athletic and he wants to do it," Jones said. "I'm pretty sure we'll leave him there."

Hawthorne said he played "spy back" last year at Mississippi Gulf Coast College.

"It's like a rover, but a cornerback. Sometimes as a spy on option quarterbacks," Hawthorne said. "I like defense and feel good about my progress, but I still have a lot to learn."

Another converted receiver, Desmond Thomas, looked good at safety yesterday. He made a fully extended leaping grab at a long pass by Funaki, but the ball fell out of his grasp as he hit the ground.

Every Dog has his day: The biggest cheers yesterday were for a guy who was in for a handful of plays and didn't really do a whole lot.

Lui 'L Dog' Santos might win if there were a vote among his teammates for most popular Warrior. But he might not be on the team much longer.

Santos is a fine natural athlete, but has very little organized football experience. He said he'll work hard and assume he's on the team until told otherwise.

"I'm coming out, 7 o'clock Monday, working out with the boys. So I'll be back," said Santos.

Jones said he will cut around 30 players in May to make room for incoming players in August.

Even if Santos is among those let loose, he will always have yesterday, when the Warriors starters chanted his name as he went into the scrimmage.

"It was great to hear my name yelled out and all my teammates rooting for me," he said. "I really appreciate it."

Quiet in the gallery: Quarterback Will Brogan said yesterday's gathering of fans reminded him of spectators lining a fairway.

"It was like a golf tournament crowd. When we had a couple of dropped balls and they did that collective 'ooh.' Like a missed putt at a golf tournament," Brogan said.

Brogan knows of what he speaks. His father, Richard Brogan, works in marketing at PGA headquarters in Florida.