Studio setup still good enough for Warriors

Adam Leonard is coming prepared this time.

After three fall camps with the Hawaii football team, the Warrior linebacker is reporting for his last with comfort in mind for the 2 1/2-week stay in the UH athletic department's dance studios.

"Thankfully I got an air mattress this year because I definitely haven't been comfortable sleeping on the fold-out beds," Leonard said.

The influx of players begins today when freshmen and transfers report for camp. The veterans join them tomorrow with the first of 29 practices leading up to the opener at Florida set for 10 a.m. Monday.

Among those who won't be joining the Warriors, at least initially, will be senior quarterback Tyler Graunke. UH coach Greg McMackin said Graunke will not practice when the Warriors open camp. He declined to elaborate on the reasons for his absence.

While Graunke's situation is sorted out, the rest of the Warriors will spend the weekend settling into their digs for camp.

McMackin said he considered having the players stay in the comparatively plush surroundings of the UH dormitories, but stuck with the studio setup after discussions with the team's veterans.

"We could have gone into the dorms, but really the seniors are the ones who really wanted to stay together to get to know the new players," McMackin said. "It's a good bonding experience."

The team is split into two studios, one for seniors and freshman with sophomores and juniors in the other.

"You get to interact with everybody," senior safety Keao Monteilh said. "Everybody's in one big room, you don't have to go door to door to get to know some of the guys.

"You get less privacy and you hear people snore. We always try to pick out who's the loudest snorers."

Said Leonard: "You get to see more people's personalities and see how they are. I think it's real good for the new guys to get the personality of the team."

Once they report, there will be little outside of practice, meetings and meals for the players, although some are still finishing up summer school classes on campus. They will have Sundays off for some free time.

"I'll go to church, spend time with my family and be back by curfew," Monteilh said.

The team will practice once per day next week and have six sets of two-a-days scheduled, the first on Aug. 11. McMackin said he plans on holding one scrimmage during camp.

Offensive lineman Kainoa LaCount and defensive back Chris Black, both junior college transfers, are finishing summer courses and are expected to report later in the week.

Aiming high

Florida, the Warriors' season-opening opponent, placed fifth in the USA Today preseason coaches poll released yesterday. The Gators, led by Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, received five first-place votes and host the Warriors at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville on Aug. 30.

Georgia, which trounced UH 41-10 in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day, begins the season atop the poll with 22 first-place votes.

The coaches ranked Western Athletic Conference member Fresno State at No. 25. Other UH opponents receiving votes were Boise State, Oregon State and Cincinnati.

"It doesn't really matter to me," Leonard said of the rankings. "I'm just ready to go out and play against anybody."

The Associated Press poll will be released Aug. 16.