Utah's Souza receives notoriety

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

The rumor that 6-foot-5, 300-pound, three-year starting offensive tackle Sean Souza is being switched to wide receiver at the University of Utah is not true, his coach said yesterday.

SOUZA

In Utah's spring practice-ending intrasquad game, Souza caught a screen pass and rumbled — and that is the correct verb — three yards for a touchdown.

It was Souza's first touchdown at any level of football.

"I finally have stats," exclaimed the lifetime offensive lineman.

Souza told reporter Linda Hamilton of the Deseret News why he eschewed wide receiver-like moves on the play: "I don't got no jukes," he said. "Five yards out, I'm going to put my head down and try to run over everybody."

Although the play is in Utah's repertoire and Souza might get to try it again in the regular season, he is not destined to be a wide receiver, offensive line coach John Hevesy said yesterday.

"Sixty-two is as high a uniform number as he is going to get," Hevesy said. (Most wide receivers have numbers in the 80s).

The play, which Utah used against BYU and Air Force in the Ron McBride years, is not a tackle-eligible, and the lineman does not have to report in, because he lines up as a legal receiver, but nobody notices, Hamilton said.

"He was the happiest kid in the world coming off the field," said Hevesy, who is part of the new Utah staff hired after McBride was fired in December.

It is Souza's happiness playing football that Hevesy rates his biggest asset. "He flat out loves to play the game, he's a football kid, a very passionate player with motivational skills — he is what we look for," Hevesy said.

Souza has started every game at Utah since his sophomore season, except for two last year when his knee and shoulder were banged up. "Everything's fine now," he said, "and I'm bulking up from 290 to 305. I'm usually quick and I'm trying to be a little more powerful."

This is how other Hawai'i players at Utah stand after spring practice:

• Junior Chris Kemoeatu (Kahuku) is a starting left guard.

• Junior Tevita Kemoeatu (Kahuku) is a backup nose guard and possibly the most improved player in spring practice, according to new head coach Urban Meyer. "He is real powerful, with good leverage," said assistant athletic director Liz Abel.

• Junior Kawika Casco (Lahainaluna) is a backup strong safety and earned a scholarship this spring.

• Redshirt freshman Tavo Tupola (Kahuku) is a backup left offensive tackle.

• Junior Makai Aalona, who moved from Kahuku to Utah after the seventh grade, is a backup to Souza at right tackle.

• Sophomore Siuaki Livai (Kahuku) is a third-string left guard.

• Willie Sao (Kahuku) is projected as a third-string defensive end; defensive lineman Tima Si'ilata (Kahuku) of Hau'ula, a transfer from University of San Diego, is a squad member; and senior defensive lineman Elia Laeli (Roosevelt via Santa Ana JC) did not participate in spring drills.

Receiver Anthony Arceneaux left the team midway last season.

ELSEWHERE

• Washington

Huskies coach Rick Neuheisel does not publish depth charts following spring practice, so veteran UW beat writer Ted Miller of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer projects his own. This is what Miller had to say about Hawai'i players:

Strongside offensive tackle — Senior Francisco Tipoti (McKinley) is No. 2. Team spokesman Jeff Bechtold said that Tipoti, a disappointment last year when he showed up out of shape, had improved and had earned playing time. Tipoti, an All-America in junior college at San Francisco in 2001, is 6 feet 5 and 320 pounds.

Defensive end — Redshirt freshman Donnie Mateaki (Iolani) is No. 1 and redshirt freshman Brandon Ala (Kamehameha) is No. 2 at the Reb (smaller) defensive end spot.

"These aren't the cards the coaches are showing," Miller wrote. "But if Mateaki, who missed most of spring because his injured shoulder is still bothering him, lives up to his hype, he'll find a way into the starting lineup. ... Ala looks like a speedy, pass-rushing specialist until he gets bigger." (Ala is 6-4, 225; Mateaki is 6-6, 270. Mateaki had shoulder surgery and did not practice the last two-thirds of 2002.)

Inside linebacker — Junior Joe Lobendahn (Saint Louis) will regain his starting assignment. "Lobendahn is a run-stopping machine, which figures to be important at Ohio State," Miller wrote. "He's improved in coverage, too."

Miller's key spring stat — Lobendahn led all tacklers in the three scrimmages with 18.

• Tennessee

Position coach Steve Caldwell said of sophomore J.T. Mapu (Kahuku), the No. 2 left defensive end out of spring practice:

"His strength level has really been helped a lot. Coming here last fall he had never been in a weight program and, actually, just about two weeks ago is the first time he'd been able to squat because of some knee problems.

"So, I'm really looking forward to getting him back here in the fall after a good summer workout. I think his quickness has gotten better in the spring and will increase this summer along with his strength level."

• Oregon

Redshirt freshman center Enoka Lucas (Kamehameha) "made big strides in improving his technique and in learning and getting comfortable in the offense this spring," said graduate assistant coach Aleki Pascua (Saint Louis). "He averaged out in the top half of our O-line in spring grades. We're excited about his potential to help us in the future."

Team spokesman Dave Williford said Lucas "will begin the fall as one of our top seven offensive linemen and has gained the confidence of the coaching staff to be inserted into the lineup at any time."

"Lucas is probably positioning himself to be the heir apparent at center for potentially the next three years after senior Dan Weaver, our two-time Rimington Award candidate, graduates," Williford said.

• San Diego State

Sophomore Kurt Kahui, a walk-on from Baldwin High on Maui, is listed second on the depth chart at defensive end heading into the fall.

"He saw some spot duty a year ago as a freshman walk-on," team spokesman Kevin Klintworth said. "Our DL coach thinks he could be a contributor and grow into a bigger role. We do have some big signees at his position but he should still see some playing time."

• Air Force

Sophomore Billy Sullivan (Damien '01 of Kailua) turned out for the first time at spring practice and was listed as the 18th halfback on the Falcons' depth chart. After he returned a kickoff 60 yards and led the Silver team in rushing in the spring game, he had jetted up to No. 4 at halfback, team spokesman Troy Garnhart said.

• Southern Utah

Senior defensive end Major Salanoa (Kahuku) "had another sack and recovered a fumble" in the final spring scrimmage, spokesman Neil Gardner said. "He's a force."