In a creative attempt to boost the University of Hawai'i football team's backfield blocking, freshman offensive lineman Laupepa Letuli has been moved to running back.

"We need a big back, and he gives us a blocker there," coach June Jones said.

The Warriors' four-wide offense employs one running back — a job usually split between an elusive runner and an aggressive blocker. Bryan Maneafaiga, a senior, is the leading choice to serve as the speed back. The Warriors are seeking a successor to 267-pound West Keli'ikipi, who completed his NCAA eligibility in December.

Nate Ilaoa, who doubles as a slotback, is unavailable because of a pulled hamstring. Freshman Mario Cox, who is 5 feet 11 and 231 pounds, is awaiting NCAA approval of his transcripts.

Jazen Anderson, the younger brother of former All-Pro running back Jamal Anderson, has earned an associate degree, an eligibility requirement for an incoming junior-college transfer. But Anderson's enrollment is delayed because his graduation application was misplaced.

"We had to refile," said Anderson, who will report to UH next week. "There won't be any problem."

That opened the way for Letuli's move to running back. On the eve of training camp, the 6-foot-3 Letuli said he weighed 280 pounds. Even at that size, he was one of the swiftest Warriors, easily completing a fitness test of 10 sprints of 220 yards.

"He's very quick, very athletic and he's tough," Jones said. "He's kind of like West Keli'ikipi."

After watching Letuli work out yesterday, Mouse Davis, who coaches the running backs, said, "He might be what we're looking for. He's a big active kid. June was looking for a big guy, and he might be our giant. He can run and he can block. He might be the deal."

Jones said Letuli will remain at running back for at least 10 more practices, after which, "we'll see if he's the answer."

But Jones said Letuli's future is on the offensive line. "He'll probably end up playing there in the NFL one day," Jones said. "By the time he grows up, he'll be a center or guard. To get on the field this year, you have to do what you have to do. His best chance to get on the field this year might be as a back."

QBS LEARN TO JUST DO IT

The secret to the quarterbacks' success is this: Get a grip.

In the first few practices, the leading candidates to start — second-year freshman Tyler Graunke and third-year sophomore Colt Brennan — struggled with their accuracy, a deficiency they blamed on the team's new footballs.

During unsupervised summer workouts, Graunke and Brennan threw the Wilson footballs the Warriors used in past seasons. But as part of the new deal with Nike, the Warriors changed football brands. (In college football, each offense uses its own supply of footballs.)

Both quarterbacks insist the Nike footballs are pointier, denser and, fresh out of the box, heavier.

"I had to get used to them," Graunke said. "I've been throwing Wilson balls all of my life. They're nice. (With Wilson balls) I can probably throw a better spiral (and) probably throw a little farther."

Brennan said: "The Nike footballs are a little bit longer. The first day (of training camp), the footballs were brand new. The leather wasn't worn, so they were a little heavier. Every quarterback was having trouble with them. They kept turning the wrist on them. I was having a lot more trouble than the rest of the quarterbacks."

Jones, a former pro quarterback, said his passers will eventually prefer the Nike footballs.

"Overall, the Nike ball is more similar to the NFL ball," Jones said. "The NFL football is designed to throw. You can say what you want about aerodynamics on these things, but as soon as I felt (the Nike football), it felt like an NFL ball. It was our option to use it or not. Once the quarterbacks get used to it, I know they'll like it better."

Graunke agreed, saying, "When they get molded to our hands, when they're broken in, they'll be fine."

Brennan also said he is adjusting.

"I could tell during the first two days, everybody was watching me throw and thinking, 'Whoa, what's wrong with him?' " Brennan said. "That definitely wasn't me out there. Not at all. It takes getting used to. Ever seen (the movie) 'Tin Cup?' I had the shanks for the first two days."

Brennan, who played at Saddleback Community College (Mission Viejo, Calif.) last season, also said he struggled with the workload. During the summer, he threw about 100 passes a day. In training camp, he throws more than 500 passes each practice.

Yesterday, Brennan's pass count exceeded 300 during a one-hour drill, the equivalent of a pitcher throwing two complete games. He said he tends to lower his passing arm when he is tired. Jones gave Brennan pointers on releasing passes at a higher point.

"Now that my endurance has picked up, my arm will be back to normal," Brennan said.

GRICE-MULLEN ON MEND

Right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullen yesterday competed in 7-on-7 passing drills for the first time since suffering a sprained right shoulder during Saturday's practice.

"It's a little sore, but I can work through it," said Grice-Mullen, a second-year freshman who practiced with the first-string offense. "I think I'll be at full strength by Monday."

Jones has not determined how much Grice-Mullen will be used today, the first practice in full pads.

Grice-Mullen said he stuttered when he was young. He said he overcame that problem by learning to "calm down, relax, focus and take one step at a time."

He said he tries to apply that technique to football.

"I want to be patient and focused," he said. "I try to wait for my turn, and then make the most of it. Last year, I redshirted, but I learned a lot from (slotbacks) Chad (Owens) and Gerald (Welch). I learned how to be patient. I think that will help me this year."