Posted on: Wednesday, August 6, 2003

Five players waiting on eligibility

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i football team yesterday opened training camp, although it could be another week before five recruits and returning players will be allowed to practice.

UH officials confirmed that five players need to earn passing grades in summer school to be academically eligible to play this season. UH's second summer session ends Aug. 14. Highly regarded defensive lineman Darrell Tautofi is attending Hawai'i Pacific University, whose summer session runs through Aug. 19.

Tautofi, who is 6 feet 4 and 275 pounds, said he expects to pass his class. Tautofi, a Kaimuki High graduate who attended junior college for two years, needs to earn an associate degree to be eligible to play this season.

"I should be OK," Tautofi said.

His younger brother, 2003 Kaimuki High graduate Daniel Tautofi, reported to training camp yesterday afternoon. Daniel Tautofi is competing at middle linebacker.

• Talented Mr. Rivers: Ron Lee, who coaches the UH receivers, said freshman Jason Rivers of Saint Louis School has a chance to start this season.

"He's got a shot," Lee said. "We'll see in a couple of weeks."

Rivers, who is 6 feet 2 and 195 pounds, is regarded as the Warriors' top recruit. He is competing at left wideout, behind fourth-year junior Britton Komine, at the position vacated by Justin Colbert.

"Jason has got everything you look for in a wide receiver," Lee said. "He's got height. He runs 4.4 (seconds over 40 yards), and he's going to get faster. He's very athletic."

Saint Louis uses a skeletal version of UH's run-and-shoot offense.

"He's familiar with our schemes," Lee said. "Because we throw the ball so much, he's going to fit in nicely. He's so well-rounded. He can run, jump, catch. He's competitive. He wants to do well. He's a hard worker. He's everything we look for in a player. He has a chance (to start) this year. He has a shot."

Komine, a converted slotback who led the Warriors with 10 scoring catches last season, said he is prepared to fight for a starting berth.

"To tell you the truth, I'm always battling, either against somebody or battling to get better," Komine said.

• Tryout spiked: Delano Thomas, a 6-7 All-America middle blocker on the men's volleyball team, will not try out for the football team, Lee said yesterday.

In May, Thomas said he would join the football team as a specialty receiver on short-yardage plays. By playing football, Thomas would have received a full scholarship. NCAA rules limit men's volleyball teams to the equivalent of 4.5 scholarships; Thomas was receiving a partial athletic scholarship.

• Sleepaway camp: Training camp, which opened with the players checking into the dormitories yesterday afternoon and a team meeting last night, will run 20 days, the longest in June Jones' five years as UH head coach. Unlike previous years, the NCAA does not permit teams to have consecutive two-a-day practices.

The Warriors break camp Aug. 24, at which time the roster may expand beyond the NCAA's training camp limit of 105 players. The Warriors open the season against Division I-AA Appalachian State on Aug. 30.

Chad Kalilimoku, who is expected to start at middle linebacker this season, said he had difficulty sleeping Monday night.

"I couldn't wait for camp to start," Kalilimoku said. "I've been waiting since the end of last year."