He has endured muscle pulls and sprains, and undergone surgeries to repair torn muscles in his right shoulder and right knee. When the NCAA recently granted him a medical hardship — and an accompanying extra year of eligibility — for last season's knee injury, Ilaoa mused, "I'm so injury prone that another year could give me a chance to hurt myself again."

NCAA rules allow a Division I football player five years to play four seasons. Because Ilaoa redshirted in 2001 and played as a second-year freshman in 2002, it appeared unlikely he would receive a medical hardship for the 2003 season, during which he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the opener. A sixth year usually is awarded for special circumstances, such as family emergencies or non-football-related illnesses.

But UH officials successfully argued that Ilaoa's injury, depriving him of a chance to play in 13 of the Warriors' 14 games, warranted an exemption.

"That's cool," said Ilaoa, who will be a fourth-year sophomore in the fall. "It's good to know I have an extra year."

He might not need it. Ilaoa is on track to earn a bachelor's degree by May 2006 — the last semester of his newly established "junior" year. By then, UH coach June Jones said, Ilaoa should be a pro prospect.

"You never know," Jones said, "but I think he's that good. Barring injury, I would not anticipate he will be here three (more) years."

Ilaoa, who is not participating in spring drills, is expected to open the season as the starting right slotback. But his after-the-catch elusiveness could lead to a future position switch. Running backs West Keli'ikipi, Michael Bass and Michael Brewster will be seniors this coming season.

"I'd like to stay at slot, but I wouldn't mind being a running back," Ilaoa said. "It would be fun at running back."

Of UH's four running plays, one of them — a slotback end-around — was designed with Ilaoa in mind.

For now, Ilaoa is focusing on rehabilitating his right knee — "I'm at 85 percent," he said — and losing weight. The 5-foot-10 Ilaoa weighs 220, but expects to lose 15 pounds when he resumes a running program this summer. One thing he won't change is his hard-driving, running style.

"I try to give it everything, and sometimes it's tough on my body parts," he said. "I like to think I can slow down, but I doubt I will once I start playing."

• Easy does it: For placekicker Justin Ayat, it's all about the angle.

"You have to have a tilt," said Ayat, explaining the key to pouring bottled imported beer into a plastic cup. "Then you want to pour slowly."

Ayat works as a bartender for events at the Blaisdell Center and Waikiki Shell. For the "Super Brawl" two weeks ago, he earned $150 in tips. His largest individual tip was $5. "Not bad, because a beer is five bucks itself," he said.

The "hold" also is important in his other job as the Warriors' kicker. This spring, he is working with punter Kurt Milne, who succeeds Jason Whieldon as holder on placekicks.

"You need quick hands," Milne said. His job is to catch the long snap, turn the laces toward the goal post and tilt the football a few degrees toward himself.

"Justin is pretty picky about the way you hold it," Milne said.

Ayat said: "If you want a good kick, you need a good hold. It's a three-man operation: good snap, good hold, good kick."

NATE ILAOA

Chang has volunteered to hold for Ayat this spring, although it is unlikely he will assume that job in the fall.

• Spring fling: Jones said he has scripted the 60 plays for tomorrow's controlled scrimmage at Aloha Stadium.

He said he has not decided how he will distribute the snaps among the four backup quarterbacks.

The scrimmage is the featured event of the "Spring Football Extravaganza" capping the Warriors' 15 days of spring practice.

There will be free gifts to the first 200 fans, games, a "Kids' Zone," autograph session and pizza-eating contest.

Festivities begin at 5 p.m., with the scrimmage at about 7 p.m. There is no admission fee. Parking is $5 per vehicle.