Warriors ready for spring drills

Imagine "Friends" without Rachel and Monica, *NSYNC without JC and Justin, Clinton without controversy.

Then picture the University of Hawai‘i football team opening spring practice Thursday without head coach June Jones, who is hospitalized in guarded but stable condition following last week’s single-car accident on the H-1 Freeway.

Jones’ DNA is on every phase of the program. He is involved in recruiting, marketing and financing. He built UH’s run-and-shoot offense from scratch.

"June Jones is the Hawai‘i athletic program," former UH quarterback Dan Robinson said last week.

UH assistant coach Mike Cavanaugh said: "We’re going to miss him. He’s more than a head football coach. He’s a great friend to many people. But we have work to do. Until he gets back, we have to go on."

Jones had evaluated all of the positions and players before the accident. Spring will be run by the assistant coaches, but under the guidelines Jones had established.

Here’s a position-by-position look, with last year’s starters in bold face:

QUARTERBACK

Tim Chang, Jared Flint, Kevin Gilbride, Nick Rolovich, Shawn Withy-Allen.

Player to watch: Flint, who exited as No. 1 last spring, suffered a shoulder injury that caused him to miss the entire 2000 season. In addition to being an accurate passer, the 6-foot-6 Flint also is elusive.

Spring work: Chang is the first No. 1 quarterback to enter a UH spring practice since Michael Carter in 1993. He is expected to hold onto the job through the summer, although Flint and Rolovich could make it interesting.

RUNNING BACK

Chad Kapanui, Jonathan Kauka, Thero Mitchell.

Player to watch: The coaches believe Kapanui, who can dunk a basketball and throw a baseball nearly 90 mph, can play several positions. They're hoping this is one of them.

Spring work: Afatia Thompson and Avion Weaver are awaiting the NCAA’s decision on their appeal for an extra year of eligibility. Until then, they are working out but not allowed to compete in spring practice. UH’s three running back recruits arrive in August.

RECEIVER

X (Left wideout): Justin Colbert, Neal Gossett, Mark Tate, Tafiti Uso.
H (Left slotback): Channon Harris, Britt Komine, Chad Owens.
Y (Right slotback): Clifton Herbert, Craig Stutzmann, Gerald Welch.
Z (Right wideout): Kanale George, Ashlie Lelie, Isaac Rodrigues.

Player to watch: Five years ago, Uso was the state's Offensive Player of the Year as a Punahou School senior. Two years ago, he was a part-time starter for Stanford's Rose Bowl team. This spring, Uso, who is paying his own way to school, is challenging for Colbert's spot.

Spring work: Although starters return at the four positions, no job is safe, particularly after the numerous drops last season. Also, two heralded recruits — slotback Nate Ilaoa and wideout Omar Bennett — join the mix in the fall. The spring will be devoted to improving the pass-catching. "We can't go through the season dropping the football," assistant coach Ron Lee said. "Either they catch the ball or the coach gets fired."

OFFENSIVE LINE

Left tackle: Jonathan Eckno, Lui Fuata, Keola Loo.
Left guard: Manly Kanoa III, Phil Kauffman, Sione Tafuna.
Center: Alapai Andrews, Lyle Castro, Chad Kahale, Brian Smith.
Right guard: Derek Johnson, Shayne Kajioka, Vincent Manuwai.
Right tackle: Mike Holt, Uriah Moenoa, Ryan Santos.

Player to watch: Moenoa, a redshirt freshman from ‘Iolani School, has all of the tools — strength, quickness, agility — to replace the departed Kynan Forney.

Spring work: What a difference a year makes. Last spring, the Warriors were searching for four new starters. This spring, they are seeking one. Manuwai, who now weighs 295, is the best blocker. Fuata, who can play every line position, has established himself at left tackle. The Warriors hope a trimmer Kanoa III (he wants to get under 300 pounds) will be more efficient. While all of the positions are open, the starting jobs usually are awarded during the spring.

Left end: Laanui Correa, Travis Laboy, Colin Wils.
Left tackle: Brett Clowers, Mike Iosua, William Jackson, Kalae Lee.
Right tackle: Lui Fuga, Lance Samuseva, Karman Saulsberry.
Right end: Houston Ala, Wayne Hunter, Hiram Travis.

Player to watch: Hunter, a Radford High graduate who transferred from California last summer, is potentially the Warriors' best defensive end since Taase Faumui in 1993.

Spring work: In mapping the program, the UH coaches sought to build depth on the defensive line. Three recruiting classes later, the line is deep enough that two starters — Chris Brown and Joe Correia — moved to other positions. Iosua is considered to be the best interior lineman and Ala, who gained 30 pounds in the last year and now weighs 245, has the most upside. The real action happens in the fall, when Fuga, who is recovering from shoulder surgery and won’t participate in spring practice, and heralded recruit Isaak Sopaga join the team.

LINEBACKER

Strong (Left): Joe Correia, Preston Faraimo, Kevin Jackson, Matt Wright.
Middle: Chris Brown, Donny Faaliliu, Watson Hoohuli, Bobby Morgan.
Weak (Right): Isaiah Alameda, Keani Alapa, Bronson Liana, Pisa Tinoisamoa, Lonnie Williams.

Player to watch: Alapa, who missed the final two-thirds of last season with an injury, is quick enough to cover receivers and strong enough to stop sweeps.

Spring work: For the first week, the players should wear "Hi, my name is ... " stickers. Correia, Brown and Jackson moved from the defensive line; Tinoisamoa moved from middle linebacker; Faaliliu moved from a junior college. The Warriors went with a heftier front seven to try and slow the run.

SECONDARY

Boundary cornerback: Hyrum Peters, Abraham Elimimian.
Left safety: Sean Butts, David Gilmore, Jacob Espiau.
Right safety: Robert Grant, Nate Jackson, Matt Manuma.
Field cornerback: Josiah Carvalho, Gary Wright, Kelvin Millhouse Jr.

Player to watch: Wright could become the fourth starter in the secondary who entered UH as a nonscholarship player. He has the speed to cover the wide side of the field, and he’s improved his technique.

Spring work: UH’s secondary, like most puzzles, begins with the corners. Peters, the dime back last year, and Wright are favored to replace the departed Feiamma Armstrong and Shawndel Tucker. With Jackson out for the spring because of foot surgery, Manuma, a converted quarterback, and Grant, a converted running back, will receive needed work.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker: Justin Ayat. Punter: Greg Kleidon, Mat McBriar.

Player to watch: As the only kicker in camp — and, possibly, the only one entering the season — Ayat, a redshirt freshman from Kamehameha, will handle all of the duties that were split between two players last year.

Spring work: Special teams coach Dennis McKnight is recovering from knee surgery in San Diego and won't attend spring practice. It has not been determined how much work in "live situations" the kickers and punters will receive.

[back to top]