Graunke left back

A leading contender for the Warriors'starting QB job won't be with the team when it begins working out Monday

When the Hawaii football team opens fall camp on Monday, senior quarterback Tyler Graunke will not be among the Warriors suited up for practice.

Tyler Graunke: Out of UH's quarterback competition for now as practice looms

UH coach Greg McMackin said Graunke, who was to enter camp as a leading contender to replace Colt Brennan, will not participate when the Warriors begin workouts in preparation for the new season.

"Tyler has things he has to work on," McMackin said yesterday in a release from UH. "At this point, he will not practice with the team. Because of privacy laws, I can't comment any further."

The announcement further clouds the quarterback competition, which McMackin said earlier this week would be among Graunke, junior Inoke Funaki, and junior college transfers Greg Alexander and Brent Rausch. Senior Jake Santos and freshman Shane Austin are also slated to participate in camp.

Graunke backed up Brennan for most of the last three seasons and is the most experienced of this year's group. He started two games last season, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 1,234 yards and 10 touchdowns against six interceptions. He led UH to a dramatic 28-26 win at Nevada, earning Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors after passing for 358 yards and two touchdowns.

He closed the season with a solid showing in the Sugar Bowl when he went 13-for-19 and led the Warriors to their lone touchdown in a 41-10 loss to Georgia, ranked No. 1 in the preseason coaches poll.

Graunke was suspended for five weeks in the offseason for a violation of team rules before being reinstated shortly before spring practice. He ended the spring even with Funaki for the top spot on the depth chart.

The Warriors open camp today with the newcomers reporting. The veterans join them tomorrow with the first practice set for 10 a.m. Monday.