Assistant coach Dan Morrison said Kainoa Akina, a fourth-year junior, exited the spring semester as the top backup to starting quarterback Tim Chang.

"He has a nice grasp of the offense," Morrison said of Akina, whose father Duane Akina is Texas' co-defensive coordinator.

Morrison said second-year freshman Jack Rolovich, the younger brother of former UH quarterback Nick Rolovich, is No. 3 on the depth chart.

"Jack is getting better every week," Morrison said. "We expect his progress to continue. Right now, his arm strength and accuracy are unparalleled in the program. It's a matter of fully grasping the offense."

Ross Dickerson, who played slotback last season, has emerged as the top right wideout, succeeding Jeremiah Cockheran, who completed his eligibility in December.

Defensive coordinator George Lumpkin said Ikaika Curnan, who moved from weakside linebacker for spring practice, will remain at middle linebacker when he reports to the training camp on Aug. 8. Curnan led the Warriors in tackles last season.

"He did a good job, and we want to leave him there," Lumpkin said. "We know that if we want to move him back to the outside, he can do that, also."

Cal Lee, who coaches the linebackers, said Paul Lutu-Carroll, a converted safety, and Tanuvasa "T.J." Moe, who was the long-snapper last season, are pushing for starting jobs as outside linebackers.

Lee praised Moe's athletic ability, saying, "He can run, dance and chew gum all at once."

Of Lutu-Carroll, a fifth-year senior who redshirted last fall, Lee said, "He's in top shape. He's all sculpted up. He looks like a bigger Brad Pitt."

Defensive line coach Vantz Singletary said it appears left end Melila Purcell III and left tackle Lui Fuga have locked up starting jobs. The hitch is Fuga is awaiting the results of an appeal for second medical hardship, which would allow him to play as a sixth-year senior in the fall. If he loses the appeal and his eligibility expires, Abu Ma'afala will move to left tackle and Matt Faga will open at right tackle.

Singletary said two junior-college transfers — Lawrence Wilson and Austin Jackson, who played at Southern California as a freshman — are in Hawai'i and participating in a conditioning program.