QUARTERBACKS

• Kainoa Akina 5-11 193 So.
• Tim Chang 6-2 195 Jr.
• Se'e Poumele 5-9 179 Jr.
• Jeff Rhode 6-5 243 So.
• Jack Rolovich 6-3 207 Fr.
• Ryan Stickler 6-2 218 Fr.
• Jason Whieldon 6-1 187 Sr.

• Quick look: Chang, who is being trumpeted as a Heisman Trophy candidate, is in good shape (he is down to 195 pounds, with 8 percent body fat), better health (fully recovered from thumb and knee injuries), and looking to cut down on a WAC-high 22 interceptions last season. He also hopes to improve his down-field efficiency. Chang completed about 32 percent of his deep passes last season; the coaches set the acceptable rate at 35 to 40 percent. Whieldon enters camp as the top backup. "He's accurate and has a better arm than people give him credit for," said Dan Morrison, who coaches the quarterbacks. "He's best when you have to score quickly. He knows how to get the ball in the end zone. He's a winner."

• Keep an eye on: Poumele, a converted receiver who was summoned to play quarterback in spring practice. Although designated as the "running quarterback" for short-yardage situations, Poumele is a surprisingly accurate passer.

BASS

• Mike Bass 5-6 165 Jr.
• Michael Brewster 5-6 176 Jr.
• Pesefea Fiaseu 5-10 250 So.
• John West 5-10 180 Sr.

• Quick look: In Jones' run-and-shoot offense, the running back is the sixth pass blocker. But with Fiaseu the only remaining bruising back, the Warriors might look to expand the running game. Last year, the Warriors didn't run often — 29.6 percent of their offensive plays — but they ran well, leading the WAC with an average of 5.0 yards per carry.

• Keep an eye on: Nate Ilaoa, a slotback who will receive handoffs on counter runs, one of four running plays in the playbook. He averaged 9.3 yards on six carries last season.

KOMINE

OWENS

ILAOA

COCKHERAN

Left wideout

• Britton Komine 5-9 184 Jr.
• Jason Rivers 6-2 193 Fr.
• Marcus Weems 6-3 178 Fr.

Left slotback

• Lenny Boatner 5-11 170 Fr.
• Ross Dickerson 5-10 174 Fr.
• Chad Owens 5-9 177 Jr.
• Orlando Wong 6-0 197 Fr.

Right slotback

• Clifton Herbert 5-8 157 Sr.
• Nate Ilaoa 5-9 189 So.
• Gerald Welch 5-7 190 Jr.

Right wideout

• Mike Akiu 5-8 164 So.
• Jeremiah Cockheran 6-0 193 Sr.
• Daniel Inferrera 6-0 189 Fr.
• Michael Miyashiro 5-6 147 Sr.

• Quick look: Auditions began in March for a successor to wideout Justin Colbert, the school's career leader in receptions. Komine, a slotback last season, gets the first shot after impressing coaches with his quickness and precise routes. Last year, he led the Warriors in receiving average (15.3 yards per catch) and touchdown catches (10). Cockheran, who did not start until midseason, caught scoring passes in five of the final seven games. Ilaoa and Owens, both injured last season, have fully recovered. Ilaoa "played the entire season with a bad shoulder, and he still caught the ball," said Ron Lee, who coaches the receivers. "He runs away from people, he runs over people. I think he's going to have a big year."

• Keep an eye on: Freshman Jason Rivers has the size and quickness (2002 state sprint champion 100 and 200 meters) to shred man-to-man coverages.

SATELE

KAJIOKA

FAAVI

UPERESA

MOENOA

Left tackle

• Brandon Eaton 6-3 301 So.
• Jeremy Inferrera 6-3 270 Fr.
• Samson Satele 6-2 289 Fr.

Left guard

• Xavier Ho'olulu 6-4 290 Fr.
• Chad Kahale 6-1 337 Jr.
• Shayne Kajioka 6-3 308 Sr.
• Kahai LaCount 6-2 294 Fr.
• Larry Sauafea 6-3 260 Fr.

Center

• Lyle Castro 5-11 251 Jr.
• Derek Faavi 6-0 280 So.
• Marques Kaonohi 6-1 252 Fr.
• Phil Kauffman 6-1 283 Jr.
• Michael Lafaele 6-1 280 Fr.

Right guard

• Uriah Moenoa 6-3 327 Jr.
• Ryan Santos 6-5 320 Jr.
• Hercules Satele 6-3 250 Fr.

Right tackle

• Jonathan Ekno 6-5 300 Jr.
• Tala Esera 6-3 265 Fr.
• Dejuan Gatling 6-3 250 Fr.
• Dane Uperesa 6-4 305 Fr.

• Quick look: Assistant coach Mike Cavanaugh could write a book on developing offensive linemen, as one publishing company has suggested, after sending eight former Warriors to the NFL in the past four years. Despite this year's inexperience — the projected lineup includes freshmen Uperesa and Samson Satele, sophomore Faavi and junior Moenoa at a new position — Cavanaugh was pleased with the line's performance in spring practice. Chang's quick release should ease the pressure on the blockers.

• Keep an eye on: Lafaele, who is better at this stage of his career than another former UH and Farrington lineman, All-America guard Vince Manuwai.

ALA

SOPOAGA

SAMUSEVA

LABOY

Left end

• Houston Ala 6-1 250 Sr.
• Ikaika Alama-Francis 6-7 210 Fr.
• Kevin Jackson 6-5 229 Sr.
• Kila Kamakawiwo'ole 6-3 250 So.
• Elijuawon Thompson 6-2 250 Jr.

Left tackle

• Lui Fuga 6-1 301 Jr.
• Isaac Sopoaga 6-3 315 Sr.

Right tackle

• Keali'i Aguiar 6-0 310 Sr.
• Abu Ma'afala 6-2 268 So.
• Lance Samuseva 5-11 290 Sr.

Right end

• Nkeruwem Akpan 6-8 235 So.
• Travis Laboy 6-4 249 Sr.
• Mel Purcell 6-5 227 So.

• Quick look: During the past two seasons, Laboy has had more sacks (11) than any other Warrior. But he also spent more time in the training room with a variety of injuries. Vantz Singletary, who coaches the defensive linemen, challenged Laboy, saying, "You have a chance to be a very rich man. Let the weight room be your playground." Laboy attended every meeting, practice and treatment appointment last semester. "The old Travis didn't go to every treatment," Singletary recalled. "The light went on for him." This is the deepest defensive line in recent memory, and nearly as talented as the trifecta of Maa Tanuvasa, Taase Faumui and Junior Tagoai in 1992. Fuga, who was the Warriors' best defensive lineman in 1999, does not even start.

• Keep an eye on: Samuseva, who is regarded as the line's most irreplaceable defender. Samuseva, who often draws double teams, frees the way for the linebackers to swoop in for tackles. The 5-11 Samuseva "has a great center of gravity," Singletary said. "He's impossible to move. He's like a tree stump."

ALAPA

KALILIMOKU

CURNAN

Strong side

• Keani Alapa 6-0 221 Sr.
• Patrick Lavar Harley 6-0 220 Jr.
• Chad Kapanui 6-0 205 Jr.
• Anipati Mailo 6-2 214 So.
• Lincoln Manutai 6-0 223 Jr.

Middle

• Chad Kaliimoku 5-11 243 Sr
• Watson Ho'ohuli 6-1 239 So.
• Tanuvasa Moe 5-11 218 So.
• Daniel Tautofi 6-2 230 Fr.

Weak side

• Ikaika Blackburn 5-10 212 Jr.
• Tyrone Brown 6-1 202 Jr.
• Ikaika Curnan 5-11 210 So.
• Kilinahe Noa 6-0 213 Jr.
• Timo Paepule 6-0 210 Fr.

• Quick look: Last year's starting linebackers have completed their eligibility, with two advancing to NFL camps, but there is optimism about this year's first unit. Kaliimoku, who replaces Chris Brown, is a natural linebacker who has a knack for hunting ballcarriers. Alapa is physical and quick enough to track tight ends and, according to defensive coordinator George Lumpkin, Curnan "seems to have that motor that allows him to go and go and go. It doesn't seem like he ever gets tired." Lumpkin said he expects to call more blitzes this season to take advantage of Curnan's speed.

• Keep an eye on: Manutai, a junior college transfer who was Kahuku High's best defensive player three years ago.

GILMORE

L. PETERS

H. PETERS

ELIMIMIAN

MILLHOUSE

Left cornerback

• Kelvin Millhouse 6-1 205 Sr.
• Kenny Patton 6-0 170 So.
• Omega Hogan 5-10 176 So.
• Ernest Powell 5-9 170 Fr.

Free safety

• Brown Faavae 5-11 220 So.
• David Gilmore 6-0 197 Sr.
• Matt Manuma 6-1 205 Jr.
• A.J. Martinez 6-0 185 Fr.
• Leonard Peters 6-1 174 So.

Strong safety

• Lamar Broadway 5-11 173 So.
• Patrick Jenkins 6-0 199 So.
• Lono Manners 5-11 154 So.
• Hyrum Peters 5-8 188 Sr.

Right cornerback

• Ray Bass 5-11 165 Fr.
• Abraham Elimimian 5-10 173 Jr.
• Cameron Hollingsworth 6-0 176 So.
• Gary Wright 5-10 201 Sr.

• Quick look: Rich Miano, an 11-year NFL player who coordinates the pass defense, said if he were in college today, he would not be able to start in this secondary. Elimimian and Millhouse are skilled one-on-one defenders who can free a safety to move into the running lanes. Miano said Hyrum Peters is fast enough to cover an opponent's third receiver. Peters will play nickelback when UH uses five defensive backs and Gary Wright joins the mix in schemes calling for six pass defenders.

• Keep an eye on: Millhouse, a projected pick in the 2004 NFL draft. Jones has said Millhouse is one of the best defensive backs he has ever coached — a list that includes future Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.

AYAT

MILNE

Kickers

• Justin Ayat 5-11 205 Jr.
• Nolan Miranda 5-8 162 Fr.

Punters

• Kurt Milne 5-11 199 Fr.
• Tim Wright 6-3 215 So.

• Quick look: Perhaps the most significant loss was punter Mat McBriar, who finished his UH career with the second-best average (42.22 yards) in school history. Wright was highly recruited and Milne spent his redshirt year as McBriar's apprentice, but neither has played in an NCAA game.