Posted on: Tuesday, April 5, 2005

2 Warriors switching positions in spring

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i football team entered the second week of spring practice with two position changes.

Kila Kamakawiwo'ole said he moved from defensive end to outside linebacker, and Brandon Matano said he accepted a reassignment from cornerback to slotback.

Kamakawiwo'ole is undergoing more of a switch in job titles than duties. In the Warriors' final four games last season — all victories — he was aligned wide as a defensive end who dropped into pass coverage, a role he likely will continue.

"I feel more comfortable outside standing up compared to going down (in a three-point stance)," said Kamakawiwo'ole, a fifth-year senior from Kaimuki High School. "I kind of like this deal."

He said he is returning to the position he played in high school.

"It's pretty much getting back into the groove," he said. "I learn pretty fast. It's not too hard."

UH linebackers coach Cal Lee said Kamakawiwo'ole has played on the "outside his whole life. ... Anyway, he's at home. ... We want to make sure they're playing where they like to play and (where) they feel comfortable. He feels comfortable standing up."

Matano, who was a member of the UH basketball team this year, decided to resume a football career that was interrupted when his previous school, Siena College, dropped the sport last year. He had made progress as a speedy cornerback, drawing attention from UH coach June Jones.

Last Friday, Matano was told he would move to offense.

"Big boss has the pull," Matano said. "If he wants me to go over there, I'll give it a shot."

Matano said he received the offensive playbook Friday afternoon. "I've been studying it," he said. "I'm trying to learn my stuff."

Matano said he believes he is 5 feet 11, although "people say I'm 5-9, 5-10."

It doesn't matter because Matano has a 42-inch vertical jump. He first dunked a basketball when he was a high school junior.

"Matano is going to be good," said Ron Lee, who coaches the receivers. "He's got good hands, and he's quick, and he knows defenses. He's still kind of swimming because everything was thrown at him at once. In the next couple of days, he'll be good to go."

New equipment deal brings new ball to UH

The Warriors are adjusting to the footballs they received as part of their new apparel and equipment deal with Nike.

In NCAA Division I-A football, each team provides the footballs its offense will use during games.

UH's new deal requires Nike to supply all of the football equipment, including the balls. UH used Wilson balls last year.

The Warriors received eight Nike balls last week, and are expecting a shipment of about 12 dozen balls for the start of training camp in August.

Jones said the Nike footballs "are closer" to the ones used in National Football League games. The Nike ball "is easier to throw," said Jones, a former NFL quarterback.

But UH quarterback Tyler Graunke, who has used Wilson balls since high school, said the Nike ball "takes a little getting used to. The first day I wasn't throwing very good balls. I'm getting used to them."

Because the Nike footballs are new, Graunke said, "around the laces, it kind of pops out a little bit. As the leather gets more worn in, it'll get into a better shape. ... It takes time getting used to any new ball. This isn't any different."

Walk-ons waiting for shot at scholarships

This spring, wideout Ian Sample and slotback Patrick Olchovy are motivated by more than an opportunity to earn starting jobs.

Both are non-scholarship players completing their second year at UH, making them eligible to receive an available scholarship for the fall semester. (Without the two-year waiting period, they would have to count against the maximum 25 initial scholarships a football team is allowed to offer each year.)

During spring drills, Sample has worked with the first-team receivers. Olchovy has received significant playing time at right slotback.

"I haven't been promised anything yet," said Sample, the son of former major league baseball player Billy Sample.

In joining UH, he turned down an offer from Arizona State.

"I knew the walk-on program was a lot better here," Sample said. "It's one of the best in the country."

Jones said five players who entered UH as non-scholarship players — wideout Ashley Lelie, offensive lineman Wayne Hunter, defensive end Travis LaBoy, running back James Fenderson and punter Mat McBriar — played for NFL teams last season.

"If you do your job and you're good enough, I'm going to put you on scholarship," Jones said. "(Hawai'i) is a good place to play, a good place to go to school. It's a positive thing. That's why we get walk-ons from the Mainland."

Olchovy was raised in Islip, N.Y., and said he decided to attend UH after watching a Warrior game on ESPN.

"I told my parents, 'I'm coming out here,' " he said. "They said, 'All right.' I turned everything else down and came out here."

He said he asks the experienced players for advice daily, as well as spending additional time in the weight room. His dual goals are to start and earn a scholarship.

"It's still up for grabs," he said.

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