University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones said fifth-year senior Nate Ilaoa is "out of shape" and might not play a down this season.

On the preseason depth chart circulated to the media two weeks ago, Ilaoa was listed as the starter at both running back and right slotback. But the 5-foot-9 Ilaoa reported to training camp this week weighing 249 pounds, and yesterday he did not compete in drills after suffering a pulled hamstring.

"He reported out of shape, overweight," Jones said. "He pulled his ham(string), so he's done. As far as I'm concerned, he's probably going to be done for the year. ... I would say right now, I'm not counting on him. I'm very disappointed."

Ilaoa was regarded as one of the top prospects when he signed with the Warriors in February 2001. He redshirted that season, then broke into the starting lineup as a second-year freshman in 2002. But he suffered a season-ending injury in the 2003 opener, and did not play at all last season while recovering from shoulder and knee injuries.

Ilaoa practiced at running back during spring practice. Jones had said he would be used at running back and slotback in the Sept. 3 opener against two-time defending national champion Southern California.

"I told him we were counting on him," Jones said. "I told him in front of the team that we were counting on him when we play SC, and he reported out of shape. That says it all right there. We gave him every opportunity. ... Obviously, he didn't work out at all. You either have intestinal fortitude or you don't. He's proven to me that he doesn't."

The situation has left the Warriors scrambling. Ilaoa's immediate backup at right slotback, second-year freshman Ryan Grice-Mullen, injured his right shoulder while attempting a diving catch yesterday.

Jones said he believes Grice-Mullen suffered a "separated" shoulder and might not practice until the middle of the week. Grice-Mullen said he thinks he "jammed it. I had a little strain. I'll probably take it easy for a couple of days."

That opened the way for Patrick Olchovy, a third-year sophomore from New York, to work with the first team yesterday.

At the end of the spring semester, Olchovy went back to New York. "I had to go back," he said. "You've got to go back to your roots. People said that might have been a mistake, but I trained really hard back home. I lifted a lot and I ran a lot. I came back (to Hawai'i) in the beginning of July."

Olchovy does not receive a scholarship. "I don't worry about that," he said. "I'd rather get a starting position."

SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

Jones recently awarded football scholarships to running back Bryan Maneafaiga, left wideout Ian Sample and linebackers Micah Lau and Victor "Bully" Fergerstrom. Manea-faiga and Sample worked with the first team yesterday.

Jones said Lau and Fergerstrom, both reserves, "worked hard on the scout team. They gave us everything they had every day. I like to reward guys who work hard. I try to tell them, when they're down there on the scout team and they don't think they're being watched, that they're being watched all of the time. Everything they do, we watch on film. The players who work hard and are that competitive will be rewarded."

Maneafaiga, a senior from Wai'anae, believed his career was in jeopardy after suffering torn ligaments in his left shoulder last season. He underwent surgery during which three pins were inserted.

"God just helped me get stronger," Maneafaiga said. "I never thought I could come back in this shape. I rehabbed, and I prayed, and now it's good. Every day I'm out here is a blessing."

Maneafaiga said he also has had to overcome personal adversity. His grandfather is recovering from a recent heart attack. His father is serving a prison term in Mississippi.

"It's hard on my family, because we're really close," said Maneafaiga, who "meets" with his father once a month through a televised closed-circuit system. "There's a lot of motivation for him to hear I'm doing good. He's happy to hear that. I know he always wanted to go to college."

Maneafaiga said a grandmother on the Mainland helped pay for his tuition and school expenses. He also took out several loans.

"It was hard to make ends meet," he said.

On Thursday night, during the first team meeting of training camp, Jones announced that Maneafaiga would receive a scholarship.

"I worked really hard because I didn't want to ask for something I didn't earn," Maneafaiga said. "It's awesome when you don't complain, put out the effort and then get rewarded."

PLAYING WAITING GAME

Several newcomers — including linebacker Solomon Elimimian, running back Mario Cox and defensive tackle Lawrence Wilson — are awaiting clearance to be eligible to practice. No problems are expected.

The wait might be good for Wilson, who underwent a lengthy root canal on Wednesday. He is the Warriors' strongest player, bench pressing a maximum 500 pounds. He also benched 225 pounds a team-high 39 times.

Mel deLaura, the team's conditioning coach, said 10 players ran 40 yards in 4.5 seconds. Safety Leonard Peters, nickelback Ryan Keomaka and cornerback Kenny Patton covered the distance in 4.4 seconds. The first-year Warriors were not timed.

Right guard Samson Satele practiced at center yesterday. "I like center," he said. "You make all of the (blocking) calls. I played a little (center) in high school. It all comes back. It's like riding a bicycle."

He said he does not have any problems with his surgically repaired right shoulder.

Meanwhile, Ikaika Curnan, who was expected to start at inside linebacker, is having difficulty moving laterally following ankle surgery. He might not participate in seven-on-seven drills for another week.