Defensive end has lot to gain

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

JACKSON: He's also UH honor student

Hate him because he can do something most people can't do: Eat anything he pleases.

"The offensive linemen hate me," said Jackson, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound junior defensive end from San Diego. "A lot of those guys are trying to lose weight."

Jackson, who gained 20 pounds since December, wants to add another 15 pounds before the start of training camp in August.

With his doctor's blessing, his breakfast menu is pancakes, bacon, eggs, hashbrowns and "a lot of milk."

His lunches and dinners usually include "chicken breasts, an entire plate of rice — I love rice — some potatoes, all kinds of vegetables and some fruit," he said. "Oh, yeah, and I have a lot of snacks throughout the day."

Vantz Singletary, who coaches the defensive linemen, said, "He needs to put on some girth. It'll help him when he tries to defend the run."

Jackson has literally grown into the defensive end position since first enrolling at UH as a 210-pound former quarterback in 1999. UH coach June Jones marveled at Jackson's agility and quickness (4.6 seconds over 40 yards), and immediately assigned him to the defensive line.

"Usually, quarterbacks who convert to other positions are very good players," Jones said.

Shuttling between defensive end and linebacker, Jackson struggled as a redshirt in 1999 and in eight cameo appearances in 2000. But last season, he said, "when I got an opportunity to play a little bit, I finally felt like I was at home."

He used his long reach to obscure the sightline to the flats and his quickness to stalk quarterbacks. The trouble was, at 225 pounds, he was vulnerable to run-blocks from super-sized offensive tackles.

"I took a pounding last year," he said. "To stand there and get hit for a whole series takes a lot out of you."

Singletary, a spokesman for Subway Sandwiches' low-calorie meals, decided to put Jackson on a hero diet.

"He's got something you really can't coach — speed — but he needs to put on weight," Singletary said.

Said Jackson: "Every day, I'll have a lot of protein and carbs. I'll make sure I lift weights, too."

Jackson said he has improved his strength, and can now bench press 385 pounds. He is the No. 1 right defensive end in spring practice, replacing Travis Laboy, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. During one-on-one drills yesterday, he twice sped past left tackle Wayne Hunter.

"He gets better because he wants to get better," Jones said. "He could be like a lot of other guys, just along for the ride. But he's trying to take it upon himself to make himself better every day of the year. He works out all of the time."

Putting safety first: Like Jackson, Matt Manuma also has made the transition from high school quarterback.

Manuma's development as a safety was slowed when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last year. There was some doubt as to whether Manuma would participate in spring practice. But he showed up for the first workout last week and has not missed a practice since, despite not receiving official medical clearance.

"I just came out to see how it felt," Manuma said.

Manuma estimated his left knee is at 90-percent strength. He has practiced with the second team, and expects to challenge Sean Butts for a starting job in training camp. He said he receives tips from his uncle, Thor Salanoa, a former Radford High standout, and works out each afternoon with teammate Hyrum Peters.

As for moving from quarterback, Manuma said, "I just want to get on the field as fast as I can. This is one way to get to play. I thought I'd give it a shot."

Running numbers: There is a greater chance of catching a discount coupon dropped from the blimp at a Wahine basketball game than a player earning the starting job as UH's running back.

In spring practice, there are 11 running backs competing for a spot in the one-back offense. But Jonathan Kauka said the running backs remain supportive.

"It's not about getting discouraged," he said. "It's about learning. We try to push each other so, as a group, we can play at the highest level. Although we're competing against each other, we're like a family, and we try to help each other out."