Lineman doing 'pretty' well

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i football player Ikaika Alama-Francis is difficult to ignore.

Alama-Francis

His arms are murals of tattoos.

"Ikaika is such a pretty boy," said Vantz Singletary, who coaches UH's defensive linemen. "He can probably pose for Jockey. All of my daughters always talk about him. They tell me how good-looking he is. I told them, 'I'm going to get my shotgun.' "

Yet Alama-Francis appeared to be covered in invisible paint when he went out with friends during his free time last year.

That was because his group included American Idol finalist Camile Velasco.

"She's a really nice person, very energetic person," Alama-Francis said. "She's living life to the fullest. She's done a lot of great things in her life. She was somebody to hang out with."

Both shared the experience of performing before live audiences.

"The football field is our stage," Alama-Francis said. "We're trying to show what we can do and what we have."

This spring practice, Alama-Francis has settled into his role as a football player. He was an All-State basketball and volleyball player at Kalaheo High School, and a member of the 2002-03 UH basketball team. Singletary said Alama-Francis is projected to exit spring practice as the starting defensive right end.

"I'm a lot more comfortable," said Alama-Francis, who joined the football team in April 2003. "It comes with time. I'm a little more confident in my skills and what I can do."

Alama-Francis' development is related to his improved strength. Two years and 40 pounds ago, Alama-Francis could bench press 225 pounds once.

"He was lifting OK," assistant strength coach Mel deLaura said, "for a basketball player."

Now Alama-Francis can bench press 225 pounds 20 times. He also has used his first-step burst and speed (4.6 seconds over 40 yards) to elude grasping offensive tackles.

"He's really worked his tail off," Singletary said. "He hasn't blown a lot of assignments this year in practice. That was really our concern. It looks like he's going to lock that job up going into training camp in August."

During Monday's 11-on-11 drills, Alama-Francis, aligned on the left side, zipped past a tackle and then buried a running back. The biggest hit of the day prompted new defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville to yell: "Ninety-one! That's my starter!"

LaCount man in middle

When the UH coaches asked for a volunteer to play nose tackle, everybody but Kahai LaCount took a step backward.

"He's perfect for the job," Singletary said of the defensive position aligned across from the center in short-yardage situations.

A nose tackle's job is to hold ground against on-charging centers and guards, freeing the way for the linebackers to swoop in for tackles. The position requires strength, girth and questionable sanity.

"It's a hard position to play, but it's fun," said LaCount, a converted offensive lineman. "You're surrounded by all of the action."

Often a nose tackle resembles a man standing in high tide.

"It's not glamorous," LaCount said, "but you can't be greedy. As long as you're making plays and stopping the ball, that's all that matters."

Singletary said LaCount has wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin's bald pate and a stone-cold-blooded demeanor.

"He could be a coroner," Singletary said of the 6-2, 310-pound LaCount. "He has that look. He could eat a lobster dinner while cutting on a body, and it wouldn't bother him."

Technically speaking, LaCount is asked to use his hands to control the center. Or, in Singletary's words: "Your one assignment is to maul the center. If you have to attack him, attack him."

LaCount said: "That's football. I like it. I can get on the field and get some playing time."

Lonely life of kicker

Each day, placekicker Nolan Miranda is competing against an opponent he cannot see.

Miranda is the only kicker on the spring roster, a situation that will change during the coming training camp. UH is expected to bring in at least two kickers, including Jeremy Shibata of Iowa City West High School.

Miranda was a part-time starter in 2003, but did not attempt a kick last season after struggling during practices.

This spring, Miranda is working on lengthening his kickoffs and strengthening his legs.

"I have to work on kicking it deeper into the end zone," he said.

Miranda is experiencing the loneliness of the long-distance kicker. UH works on kicking or punting for the first 10 minutes of every practice. For the remaining 2 hours, Miranda and punter Kurt Milne work out on their own, shag footballs during passing drills or watch the defense practice. UH, like most schools, does not have a kicking coach.

"I have to work on what I need to do," Miranda said. "I'm not worried about who they're bringing in. I have to work on my kicking before I worry about somebody else."

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