DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan joined his receivers for a workout at the UH football practice field yesterday.

Ferguson stays close to program

Not everyone who works out at the University of Hawaii football practice field in the summer is getting ready to play for the Warriors this fall.

There's Punahou graduate and incoming Princeton freshman quarterback Brett Kan. Another former Buffanblu star who shows up regularly, slotback Miah Ostrowski, won't be on the UH roster until next spring. There are even current high school players, like Saint Louis receiver Billy Stutzmann and Kaiser wideout Kalua Noa.

Then there's Jason Ferguson.

The promising slotback and kick returner from Los Angeles joined the Warriors in 2003. After redshirting that year, in 2004 he played in 10 games as a kick returner and in a backup role to slotback Chad Owens.

But Ferguson never regained his quickness after a second major injury to his knee (on the opening kickoff of the 2005 season). After meeting with coach June Jones last month, he retired from football. Ferguson retains his scholarship, and will graduate from UH with a sociology degree next spring.

Ferguson still turns out for the UH twice-weekly pass-and-catch sessions as if he were battling for a starting position this fall.

"Hey you're still going to see a lot of me," the upbeat Ferguson said. "I'm still going to be around."

He spends his free time writing and performing rap and preparing for a future in coaching.

"One door closes, two open," Ferguson said. "I'm making the best of what happened."

Change of heart?: Las Vegas Bishop Gorman star running back Keola Antolin gave Arizona an oral commitment last month. But the speedy (4.47 in the 40) senior-to-be took an unofficial visit at UH, and said "Hawaii is looking pretty good right now."

The 5-foot-8, 185-pound Antolin and teammate Michael Aromin (5-11, 185) caught passes from Colt Brennan at yesterday's workout.

"That was pretty cool, running routes for a Heisman Trophy candidate," Antolin said.

Iowa, Oregon State and UNLV also offered scholarships to Antolin, who was born in Hawaii and moved with his family to Las Vegas when he was 7.

New QB: In addition to Brennan, Kan and UH backups Tyler Graunke and Kiran Kepo'o, walk-on Warriors quarterback Jake Santos threw passes yesterday.

Santos is a junior transfer from Missouri Southern. He came from pass-happy St. Augustine High School in San Diego, and San Diego Mesa College. Santos said Hawaii was always his planned destination.

"Our offense was similar, we threw the ball 40 times a game back in high school. This is where I wanted to go coming out of high school," said the 6-foot, 200-pound Santos, who once threw a CIF-record eight touchdowns in a game. "This is the only school I stayed in contact with. I called them up and they said come on out."

Clinic still has openings: The UH football coaching staff is holding clinics for youth players.

The sessions are July 21-22 for ages 5-12, and July 24-27 for ages 13-18.

Call 261-5000 or go to www.PacificAthleticAlliance.com for information.

Also, the Hawaii Speed and Quickness clinics continue this weekend, 8:30 to 10 a.m. at UH. Call 739-5444 for information.