Walk-on battles to make UH roster cut

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Spring practice is supposed to be a relaxed time when University of Hawai'i players hone their football skills.

But for more than two dozen Warriors, "it's a make-or-break time," said defensive back Saffery Silva, a redshirt freshman from Ka-ne'ohe.

There are 98 players on the UH spring roster. With 25 recruits and at least 10 walk-ons expected to join the team in August, the Warriors will have to cut several players to meet the NCAA's roster limit of 105 for training camp.

"We have to make some decisions, obviously, to be the best that we can be," UH coach June Jones said. "That's going to include, unfortunately, some of the guys not continuing. That's always been one of the more difficult things to do as a head coach."

Silva, who attended Castle and Moanalua high schools, was one of the players who competed in spring practice last year but was not invited to training camp.

"Coach Jones called me in last summer and told me the deal, that they were bringing in a lot of guys," Silva recalled. "Instead of giving up, I kept training. I trained harder, in fact."

After finishing his shift as a construction worker, he ran sprints and lifted weights at UH each summer evening. He also showed up at training camp, watching from the sidelines. Three days into the two-week training camp, UH assistant coach Rich Miano told Silva to be ready in case he was invited back. Rosters may expand by five at the start of the fall semester.

Silva indeed was invited to rejoin the team, but that has not eased his anxiety this spring.

"If you're a walk-on, you can never feel secure," Silva said. "The coaches recruited the players on scholarship, they didn't recruit the walk-ons. Every day, every play, I get nervous. If you're a walk-on, this could be your last chance."

Silva said he uses his situation as motivation. "Feeling safe isn't the goal," he said. "I want to work hard and have fun. I love the game, and I know it's all going to end some day. I want to enjoy it as much as possible."

Silva said his unique first name came from his parents' decision to give their children names beginning with the letter "S." One of his brothers is named "Sterling."

"Sterling Silva, get it?" he said, laughing. "He just had a baby. He named his baby 'Quick.'"

For now, Silva would like to make a name for himself on the team.

Comeback Story, Part I

Defensive tackle Hiram Travis was expected to make an impact last season. Travis, who attended El Camino College in 2000, competed in spring practice last year. But at the end of the spring semester, he returned to California.

"We had some financial problems," said the 6-foot-2, 275-pound Travis, who is married and has a 4-year-old daughter. "I had to get a job to support my family."

Travis, who can bench press 450 pounds, used his strength in a warehouse "stacking boxes and shipping them. It was a real wake-up call. That's not something I wanted to do the rest of my life."

While many players leave college programs, few return.

"I was hoping and praying to get another chance," Travis said. "I wanted to come back to school and play football. I wanted to earn a degree so I can, hopefully, get a better job with better pay."

He resolved his financial problems and, with his grades in good shape, enrolled at UH in January. Because he attended classes last year, his football scholarship does not count against this year's scholarship limit. He will be a junior in eligibility.

"I knew it was a long shot," he said. "I knew I put the team in a bind by leaving. But the Lord works in mysterious ways, and I'm grateful for this second chance."

Comeback Story, Part II

Even without a jersey, the throwing motion and accuracy were unmistakable.

"I'm glad I can be out here," said Nick Rolovich, who will help tutor the quarterbacks during spring practice.

As a senior last fall, Rolovich was 8-1 as a starter. He emerged as a pro prospect after passing for three touchdowns in the Hula Bowl Maui in February.

After his first spring workout, in which he threw during seven-on-seven drills, Rolovich declared: "The team is looking good. I already sense the togetherness. They enjoy being out here with each other."

In a surreal scene, Rolovich had to get used to his college number — 12 — being worn by quarterback Jeff Rhode.

"He asked me for permission before he took it," Rolovich said, smiling.

"I told him he had to earn it."