Dowling’s a quick study

He only has one season to play, so Jameel Dowling has to make the most of it

Free time is a concept Jameel Dowling isn't familiar with these days.

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A full summer schedule doesn't leave Dowling many moments when he finds himself with nothing to do.

Dowling is taking three summer school classes as he heads toward graduating with a sociology degree in December, certainly enough to keep the senior cornerback hopping even without the full slate of practices and meetings filling the Warrior football team's fall camp schedule.

"It seems overwhelming, but I'm blessed that I have a coach who understands that I'm trying to get my degree and I respect him for letting me have that opportunity to go to school and come out when I could," said Dowling, who also makes time to attend Bible studies twice a week. "It's kind of good. It's a good thing to stay focused."

Summer school ends on Thursday, giving Dowling about a week-and-a-half to concentrate solely on football before the start of the fall semester on Aug. 25.

Although his class schedule kept him out of two practices last week, Dowling is a front-runner for a starting cornerback spot as he looks to make the most of his lone season in Manoa.

He began his career in junior college, played one year at Oregon, then transferred to UH last fall. He sat out the team's Sugar Bowl season in accordance with transfer rules, leaving him one season of eligibility with the Warriors.

After a solid spring, the 6-foot-3 Dowling entered fall camp atop the depth chart at right cornerback, his size and athletic ability making him an intriguing prospect in the secondary.

"That's different as far as the material (aspect), ... I really don't care about the material, it's all football and school." Jameel Dowling On the difference between Oregon's state-of-the-art facilities and those at Hawaii

"I stayed here in the summer so I learned everything, so I'm more comfortable out there than in the spring," Dowling said.

"I'm excited about him," head coach Greg McMackin said. "He's quick and tall, he's going to be tough to throw at."

Dowling has plenty of motivation to push him through his rigorous schedule.

He's hungry to prove himself in his final year and has envisioned playing football beyond college. But he now lists school as "my main focus. I want to get to the next level, but I know if I handle school and get my degree better opportunities will open for me."

Once he earns his diploma, Dowling hopes to use his degree in working with youths. He remembers fondly the influence the local Boys and Girls Club had on shaping his outlook while growing up in Washington and would like to have a similar impact on young lives down the road.

"They helped give me something instead of just being on the streets," Dowling said. "Just gave me somewhere to go, somewhere to go play basketball, interact with other kids."

Dowling, a football and track standout at Butte College in California, played in 11 games for Oregon in 2006. His time in Eugene gave him a chance to sample the state-of-the-art accommodations the Ducks enjoy, a contrast to the UH facilities that have been a source of controversy over the past year.

"That's different as far as the material (aspect), but it's not really about that," Dowling said. "I really don't care about the material, it's all football and school."