Although Rolovich, a third-year sophomore, and Akina, a fifth-year senior, are expected to be invited to join the team when the roster expands, their exclusion from training camp is surprising.

During spring practice, Rolovich and Akina were among five quarterbacks competing to succeed Tim Chang, who completed his eligibility at the end of the 2004 Hawai'i Bowl.

Rolovich and Akina could not be reached for comment yesterday.

They will remain on scholarship. But missing training camp likely will eliminate them from contending for the starting job in the Sept. 3 season opener against two-time defending national champion Southern California.

Jones declined to comment other than to identify the players not invited to training camp.

Rolovich, the younger brother of former UH quarterback Nick Rolovich, completed 4 of 8 passes for 37 yards last season.

Akina, who was the No. 2 quarterback for most of last season, completed 7 of 19 passes for 84 yards, but was intercepted four times. He is the son of Duane Akina, a former Punahou School quarterback and the University of Texas' assistant head coach.

The Warriors will have five quarterbacks in training camp: senior Jeff Rhode; sophomore Colt Brennan, who is transferring from Saddleback Community College (Mission Viejo, Calif.); second-year freshman Tyler Graunke; and first-year players Inoke Funaki and Anthony Gardner of St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio.

UH also had five quarterbacks in training camp last year.

Funaki, a Kahuku High graduate, competed in spring practice after returning in November from a church mission to the Dominican Republic.

Gardner, who is 5 feet 11 and 180 pounds, recently accepted an invitation to join the Warriors as a non-scholarship player. He was recruited by defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville.

As a junior, Gardner helped St. Edward reach the championship game of the Division I playoffs, Ohio's top division.

He suffered an ankle injury late in his senior year. The Cleveland Plain Dealer's high school reporter said Gardner would have been named to one of the seven All-State teams if he were not injured.

For Rhode, the announcement marked a successful comeback. Last year, Rhode and quarterback Ryan Stickler were not invited to attend training camp. Stickler earned an invitation after deciding to change positions; last month, he left the program.

But Rhode remained undaunted, and he developed into the No. 2 quarterback for the Warriors' final two games last season.

"It was shocking when it happened to me," Rhode said. "You don't expect it. But I know (Rolovich and Akina) are both resilient, and they'll help in any way they can. I hope they look at what I did, and know it's possible."

Meanwhile, Brennan, without taking a snap for UH, has ascended the depth chart.

"I can't wait to get out there," said Brennan, who will earn an associate degree at the end of the spring semester. "I have one month left. I'm dying to get out there."

Brennan had earned national attention for serving a seven-day sentence after being found guilty of first-degree criminal tresspass (entering a room) and second-degree burglary (not leaving immediately) for a January 2004 incident that occurred when he was a freshman at the University of Colorado. He was dismissed from the Colorado team.

At Saddleback last fall, he completed 177 passes in 259 attempts (with four interceptions) for 2,532 yards and 23 touchdowns in nine games.

Brennan will join UH as a walk-on, although there is a possibility he could receive a scholarship if some of the recruits do not meet the requirements to play in the fall.

"It doesn't matter," Brennan said. "Whether I walk on or go on scholarship, that's irrelevant. I want to go where I'm comfortable, and I'm comfortable in Hawai'i."

Brennan said other schools told him that Hawai'i's lifestyle was different from the Mainland's.

"But that's what I like," Brennan said. "It's better. The people are more genuine. The lifestyle is more laid-back."

Asked about the quarterback situation, Brennan said, "I want to work my butt off and prove I can be the starting quarterback."

At least 18 other players will not be invited to training camp. That group includes defensive backs Cameron Hollingsworth, Ernest Powell and Sean Jandoc; receivers Joey Hew Len and Nainoa Kuna; defensive tackles Nathan McKay and Ammon Tong; and linebackers Tyrone Brown and Adam Liolio.