By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Do not adjust your calendar.
In the world according to University of Hawaii football coaches, spring begins March 1 with the start of the month-long spring practice.
For the Warriors, several areas already have been resolved, such as Tim Chang will be the first No. 1 quarterback to enter a UH spring practice since Michael Carter in 1993.
Here are the answers to some other questions:
How did recruiting go?
All but one of the players who verbally committed defensive tackle Matt Tupuola, who went to Cincinnati signed letters of intent or scholarship agreements.
There had been speculation that Virginia high school wide receiver Nate Ilaoa changed his mind and committed to Virginia Tech. But, in fact, Ilaoa did indeed sign with the Warriors two weeks ago.
Three other players offensive tackle Mike Holt, defensive end Hiram Travis and linebacker Donny Faaliliu already are attending classes at UH.
Who will replace right tackle Kynan Forney?
When Forney, who completed his eligibility in December, was injured last season, right guard Vincent Manuwai moved to right tackle and Shayne Kajioka played right guard. But Mike Cavanaugh, who coaches the UH linemen, said Manuwai will stay put.
Holt and redshirt freshmen Uriah Moenoa of Iolani School and Phil Kauffman of St. Louis School are the top candidates.
Moenoa is "tough, smart, athletic and has a little bit of explosiveness to him," Cavanaugh said.
Holt has the tools strength and quickness but will spend the spring working on his blocking techniques and stances, Cavanaugh said.
Another redshirt freshman, Ryan Santos of Mililani, is recovering from a shoulder injury and will not compete in spring practice.
Who will compete against Chang?
Jared Flint, who was the top quarterback exiting last years spring practice, appears fully recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him from playing last fall. He will take snaps, although coaches have not decided how to divvy up the rotation.
Nick Rolovich, who started three games last year, and Shawn Withy-Allen also will compete.
Kevin Gilbride is on the UH baseball team and his availability for spring practice has not been determined. Chad Kapanui will try out at running back and fellow redshirt freshman Matt Manuma will audition at safety.
Who will play cornerback?
Dime back Hyrum Peters, who started three games last season, is projected to start at one of the corner positions vacated by Shawndel Tucker and Feiamma Armstrong. The other side is up for grabs.
Will the season-opening game be moved from Maui?
Nope.
Originally, the game against Montana, set at War Memorial Stadium, was to be UHs second game of the season. But when Iowa State dropped out of the opener, at Aloha Stadium, that meant UH would go three weeks before playing its first game on Oahu. But UH officials say it is too late to move the game from Maui.
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