The agenda calls for limited contact — takedown tackles are not allowed — and limited participation from established starters such as quarterback Tim Chang and slotbacks Chad Owens and Nate Ilaoa.

"We want to give the other guys an opportunity to show what they can do," UH coach June Jones said.

While the overall value of spring practice has been debated, one thing is certain: Spring training will determine jobs.

There are 102 players on the Warriors' spring roster. Another 25 recruits and invited walk-ons are scheduled to report in August. With the training camp roster limited to 105, about 20 percent of the players on the spring roster won't be asked back.

What's more, with few exceptions — Chang in 2000, running back Mike Bass in 2001, and offensive lineman Jeremy Inferrera and receiver Jason Rivers last season — it is difficult for a first-year Warrior to earn significant playing time without the experience of spring practice.

Even with many starters sitting out of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills, there will be adequate competition. The spring roster lists 20 receivers, 15 offensive linemen, 19 linebackers and 19 defensive backs.

"We'll sort it out," said George Lumpkin, UH's defensive coordinator and associate head coach.

But the process is not an exact science. In the spring of 2000, offensive lineman Chris Pinkney wowed the coaches with his strength, first-step quickness and footwork. Pinkney started the opener, but had difficulty adjusting. By the middle of the season, he was on personal leave.

Last year, Ryan Stickler exited spring practice as the No. 3 quarterback, behind Chang and Jason Whieldon. But a personal problem and a hic-cup in his throwing motion led to Stickler's demotion to the scout team.

"It's not easy to evaluate players in the spring," said Rich Miano, who coordinates the Warriors' pass defense, "because we don't do a lot of hitting."

But Miano said the players do enough technical drills that "we get a sense of what they can or cannot do." For a defensive player, Miano said, "the most important thing is alignment and assignment. We give him enough things so we know if he understands our system. And we do enough technical things to see if a guy likes contact and if he likes to hit."

This spring, the coaches are looking to rebuild the defense. Four starters on the defensive line, two at linebacker and two in the secondary completed their eligibility at the end of last December's Hawai'i Bowl.

Lumpkin is trying to implement a 3-4 alignment to replace the "Okie" scheme involving six defensive backs in passing situations. UH will keep the 4-3 as its base formation.

UH also is seeking a top backup quarterback to Chang. Whieldon, who engineered an upset of Alabama last season, has completed his eligibility.

Dan Morrison, who coaches the UH quarterbacks, said many teams can get by with a backup who "is an operational guy. They can run the ball a little bit more. We can't do that here because the quarterback is such a featured aspect in our (run-and-shoot) offense. We have to have two quarterbacks who can go in and win games."

The candidates are Kainoa Akina, who finished as the No. 3 quarterback last season; Rhode, who will be a fourth-year junior in the fall; Jack Rolovich, the younger brother of former UH quarterback Nick Rolovich, and Stickler, who has resolved his mechanical problems.

"They all have the potential," Morrison said. "We know they have good arms and can be very accurate. We want to see who has the intangibles, who makes plays, who has the best command of the offense and the huddle. We want to see who can take a team and go out and win games."

Akina is the best runner. At 5 feet 11, his height is not a factor in passing situations because the Warriors usually use shotgun snaps.

Rhode has a powerful arm and good understanding of the offense. Now, Morrison said, he has to "convince players around him that he can lead them."

Morrison said Stickler "has natural leadership."

The most intriguing is Rolovich. "He's got a lot of his brother in him," Morrison said. "He's got an innately strong arm and he appears to be accurate. He's a bigger and stronger version of Nick. It took Nick a year to learn the offense. We have to wait and see how Jack evolves."

As for Chang, "I think it's safe to say he's No. 1," Morrison said.

Chang, a fifth-year senior who is closing in on the NCAA record for career passing yards, has gained 15 pounds through daily weight training and now weighs 205.

Here's a look at the other positions:

Receiver

MARCUS WEEMS

Spring work: There will be several opportunities for receivers trying to break into the rotation. The Warriors are seeking a replacement for right wideout Jeremiah Cockheran, who completed his eligibility, and they plan to rest Ilaoa, who had knee surgery last fall, and Owens, who is nursing a sprained big toe. Dickerson has moved from the slot to right wideout. Komine, who opened last season as the starting left wideout, is scheduled to practice at left slotback, his original position at UH. But he is suffering from a pulled hamstring and his availability is in question. The speedy Ferguson, who has fully recovered from knee surgery two years ago, is scheduled to play in the slot this year. But don't be surprised if he moves to running back in 2005.

Player to watch: After two years of struggling to learn the Warriors' run-and-shoot offense, Weems, a Kealakehe High graduate, is ready to compete for playing time. He is tall (6-3), fast (4.5 seconds over 40 yards) and sure-handed. "He's going to get a shot," UH assistant coach Ron Lee said.

Running back

KALA LATUSELU

Spring work: The Warriors had hoped Keli'ikipi would have been able to test his surgically repaired knee. But he has been slow to recover and won't participate in drills. Bass and Brewster have been in the program for three years and won't see significant action in the spring.

Player to watch: Latuselu is a tough short-yardage runner who might be the next Keli'ikipi.

Offensive line

MICHAEL LAFAELE

Spring work: Injuries and inconsistency forced the Warriors to change lineups nearly every week. The players who started in the Hawai'i Bowl — Esera, Samson Satele, Faavi, Moenoa and Eaton — are all back, although only Satele's job is secure. Lafaele, Sauafea and Inferrera are capable of seizing positions.

Player to watch: Lafaele has drawn praise from Mike Cavanaugh, the tough-loving line coach. "I like the fact that he's a real physical guy," Cavanaugh said. "He has the hardest job because the center has to make all of the line calls. He's smart and athletic and he can do the job."

Defensive line

Left end—Tony Akpan (6-7, 254, Jr.), Wilson Cluney (6-2, 225, Sr.), Frank Pojsl (6-4, 248, Jr.), Darrell Tautofi (6-2, 281, Sr.). Left tackle—Thomas Frazier (6-0, 282, Sr.), Lui Fuga (6-1, 299, Sr.), Kahai LaCount (6-3, 308, So.). Right tackle—Matt Faga (6-2, 325, Sr.), Abu Ma'afala (6-3, 261, Jr.). Right end—Ikaika Alama-Francis (6-6, 215, So.), Kila Kamakawiwo'ole (6-2, 240, Jr.), Karl Noa (6-4, 220, Fr.), Melila Purcell (6-5, 258, Jr.), Chris Williams (6-0, 232, Jr.)

Spring work: By rotating two units last season, the Warriors will have a head start in replacing all four starters, including future pros Travis LaBoy, the team's most outstanding player, and Isa'ako Sopoaga. The right side appears set, with Purcell at end and Ma'afala at tackle. The coaches remain hopeful Fuga will be granted a sixth season of eligibility. If not, Faga will move to left tackle. LaCount has switched from the offensive line to provide depth. In August, highly regarded junior college transfers Austin Jackson and Lawrence Wilson will compete at defensive tackle. Akpan and Tautofi are battling for the starting job at left end. Line coach Vantz Singletary said his wish list includes offensive lineman Dane Uperesa. "He's athletic and can do it all," Singletary said. Last month, Uperesa won a dunk contest among offensive and defensive linemen, beating out former UH basketball players Akpan and Alama-Francis.

Player to watch: After sitting out a year to focus on academics, Faga reported to last year's camp claiming to weigh 350 pounds. "I told him, 'I think you're 400 pounds,' " Singletary recalled. "I took him downstairs (to the training room) and made him step on the scale. He was 405." Since then, Faga has pared down considerably, and will enter spring practice weighing 330 pounds. "He's a big body," Singletary said of Faga, who can bench press 475 pounds, "but he has nimble feet."

Linebacker

TANUVASA MOE

Spring work: Two of last year's starters have completed their eligibility and a third, Curnan, is moving from the weak side, where he led the team in tackles, to the middle. "We want to see if he can make more plays," defensive coordinator George Lumpkin said. If the experiment fails, UH has a backup plan: Ho'ohuli, who is recovering from surgery, will be ready by training camp.

Player to watch: Moe, the long-snapper last season, gets a shot as a full-time linebacker this spring. Even as a snapper, Moe often was one of the first to reach the punt returner. "He's smart and he's tough and he's aggressive," Lumpkin said. "I know it'll be fun for him, and it'll be fun for us to see what he can do on a consistent basis."

Secondary

ABRAHAM ELIMIMIAN

Spring work: Elimimian, the secondary's lone returning starter and best tackler, moves from the right corner to the left. Because most teams throw to a defense's left side, Elimimian, who did not relinquish a touchdown pass last season, will be tested frequently. Patton was sharp in offseason workouts.

Player to watch: Lutu-Carroll, a Damien Memorial School graduate who transferred from a college in Nebraska, is a hard-hitting safety who could challenge for a starting job.

Specialists

Placekicker—Justin Ayat (5-11, 205, Sr.), Nolan Miranda (5-8, 172, So.). Punter—Kurt Milne (6-0, 204, So.), Tim Wright (6-5, 210, So.)

Spring work: The Warriors won't spend much time on special teams in the spring. The kickers and punters will just try to stay in shape.