Laeli to miss spring drills

Returning starter at defensive tackle is still recovering from injuries

Senior Fale Laeli, the returning starter at left defensive tackle, is out for Hawaii spring football practice as he continues to recover from knee injuries.

Laeli had arthroscopic surgery in February to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. He also has tendinitis in his left knee.

"I've got two bad knees; I need to rehab them both. There's no sense in rushing it. I want to rehab it so I can start running," Laeli said. "But I'll be out there (at practice) anyway. I'll be there every day."

Josh Leonard moves to the top of the list at left tackle. Junior Rocky Savaiigaea and freshman Vaughn Meatoga will also see plenty of reps when spring practice starts Monday.

"Fortunately, we have a lot of depth up front, but Fale is one of our main guys," UH coach Greg McMackin said.

Despite a variety of nagging injuries last year, Laeli played in all 13 games and was in on 25 tackles, including 2 1/2 sacks for 17 yards.

In other UH football news:

» A total of 114 players are expected to report for spring camp, McMackin said. Some will be cut after camp to make room for 25 to 28 new players coming in for fall camp.

"Some will be able to come back when school starts," McMackin said.

» McMackin said he has identified 10 Hawaii high school football players in the class of 2009 to whom he is "considering" offering scholarships within the next few weeks.

"If we offer them now and they accept, we will stand by them," McMackin said of the early recruiting.

Saint Louis School junior wide receiver Billy Ray Stutzmann was offered by UH last month, Stutzmann's father, Bill, said.