Lineman Ho'olulu not on team

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Freshman offensive lineman Xavier Ho'olulu of Kailua High is no longer on the University of Hawai'i football team, a spokesman confirmed yesterday.

HO'OLULU

Ho'olulu, who is 6 feet 4 and 290 pounds, was named to The Advertiser's 2002 All-State team.

Three members of the 2003 recruiting class are prepared to go on church missions, three others did not meet the academic requirements to play this season, and linebackers Daniel Tautofi and Timo Paepule will seek medical hardships after suffering season-ending injuries.

But freshman Jeremy Inferrera is starting at left tackle and Jason Rivers is in the rotation at left wideout.

In anticipation of losing a few players, UH had over-recruited in February.

• Looking ahead: The Warriors have fewer than 20 scholarships to offer to junior college and high school prospects in 2004, UH coach June Jones said.

NCAA rules limit teams to offering 25 initial scholarships a year. But with five full recruiting classes under Jones, who became head coach in December 1998, the Warriors have little room under the overall 85-scholarship limit. Jones has offered scholarships to walk-ons, as well as reserved one for running back Jason Ferguson, a 2003 high school graduate who has delayed enrolling at UH until January.

Jones' recruiting wish list includes offensive linemen, defensive linemen, cornerbacks and quarterbacks. But he said, "We're going to recruit one receiver this year, maybe two."

• Health report: Cornerback Gary Wright, who suffered a sprained right ankle during a seven-on-seven drill Monday, was walking with the help of crutches yesterday.

Wright, one of the top players on special teams, said he is hopeful of playing in Saturday's road game against Nevada.

"When I woke up this morning, I didn't think I was going to be able to (walk)," Wright said after yesterday's practice. "But (the trainers) worked the miracle. I'll be ready."

He said he is being treated with ice, electrical stimulation and "the magic tape," an elastic bandage that works in the same way that a nose strip helps clear the nasal passage.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.