NCAA approves eligibility of six Hawai'i recruits
By Stephen Tsai rebecca breyer | The Honolulu Advertiser rebecca breyer | The Honolulu Advertiser rebecca breyer | The Honolulu Advertiser rebecca breyer | The Honolulu Advertiser rebecca breyer | The Honolulu Advertiser rebecca breyer | The Honolulu Advertiser rebecca breyer | The Honolulu Advertiser rebecca breyer | The Honolulu Advertiser
In a Grinch-saves-Christmas development, the NCAA yesterday approved the eligibility of six University of Hawai'i football recruits.
Wideouts Michael Washington and Antwan Mahaley, defensive tackles Lawrence Wilson and Siave Seti, and linebackers Adam Leonard and B.J. Fruean were allowed to participate in various degrees of yesterday's two practices, their participation based on the number of school-imposed tests they had completed.
"I'm glad they're OK," coach June Jones said.
Four others — running back Mario Cox, defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea, defensive end John Fonoti and cornerback Ulysses Dalton — have met the eligibility requirements to play this season, but their transcripts are awaiting final approval from the NCAA. Defensive back KayBrin Stevenson has decided to delay enrolling at UH until January.
Jones was pleased with the newcomers, particularly Washington, who will compete as a wideout and kick returner. As a junior at Aliquippa (Pa.) High, 14 of Washington's 22 catches were touchdowns. As a senior, he was named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's All-State team as a defensive back.
"He looked very good," said Jones, who likens Washington to former UH wideout Justin Colbert. "He's very smart. He's going to pick it up fast."
Washington, who is 5 feet 7 and 160 pounds, has run 40 yards in 4.27 seconds. In electronically clocked workouts last year, he was timed between 4.34 and 4.38 seconds.
In UH's four-wide offense, the smaller and quicker receivers usually are aligned in the slot. But with slotbacks Jason Ferguson, Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullen expected to play most of the downs, Jones decided to move Washington to wideout. "I figure it will get him on the field faster," Jones said. "It's a little easier to learn the outside, and he's a fast learner."
Washington said he keeps fit by doing 400 push-ups and 300 crunches before bedtime.
He said he became interested in the Warriors after watching their nationally televised games. "People who are close to me didn't want me to go that far," he said. "I made my own decision. I had to live for myself. Distance is no problem because I grew up in a military family. We moved every two, three years."
Leonard, who participated in drills yesterday, said he hopes to regain the form that made him a celebrated linebacker in Seattle. He said his surgically repaired left knee — a ligament injury that abbreviated his senior season — is at "full strength."
Leonard said his first UH practice was "a different deal. I haven't worn shoulder pads and a helmet since Sept. 17. Just getting back comfortable was an important thing. I love the way things are going now, and I'm happy to continue playing football for UH."
Fruean used the hiatus to improve his strength. The 6-foot-2 Leilehua grad gained 20 pounds during the offseason, and now weighs 205.
Wilson, the strongest Warrior during summer workouts, said he is focusing "on the football part now."
Wilson bench pressed 225 pounds a team-high 39 times. "I was looking at doing 45," he said.
He also bench pressed a maximum 500 pounds, matching a team record set by former Warriors Chris Brown and Vince Manuwai.
SAMPLE FEELING BETTER
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University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan looks for a receiver during the morning practice session at the Manoa campus.
Dane Porlas bowls over a tackling dummy during the morning practice at the University of Hawai'i's practice field.
Dane Porlas bowls over a tackling dummy during the morning practice at the University of Hawai'i's practice field.
Dane Porlas bowls over a tackling dummy during the morning practice at the University of Hawai'i's practice field.
Dane Porlas bowls over a tackling dummy during the morning practice at the University of Hawai'i's practice field.
Dane Porlas bowls over a tackling dummy during the morning practice at the University of Hawai'i's practice field.
Dane Porlas bowls over a tackling dummy during the morning practice at the University of Hawai'i's practice field.
Dane Porlas bowls over a tackling dummy during the morning practice at the University of Hawai'i's practice field.
Ian Sample, who entered camp as the No. 1 left wideout, yesterday competed in contact drills for the first time since suffering a herniated disc on Aug. 6.
He had suffered a similar injury 2 1/2 years ago, leading to three months of rehabilitation.
The recent injury, Sample was told, "was worse than it was the last time. I was devastated when I heard that. Last time I had it, I was out for so long."
He said the pain made it difficult "just to stand or sit." But after performing gentle exercises and leg lifts, the soreness gradually eased.
"I'm surprised," he said. "I feel 100 percent better. I think it has to do with good trainers and prayers."
For the second consecutive day, Turmarian Moreland, the No. 1 right cornerback, did not practice because of a "sore" left knee. He was scheduled to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging, a procedure that uses magnetic fields to produce a picture of the body's interior.
"Turmarian was feeling a little better," Jones said. "We'll find out what's wrong. Hopefully, it's just a strained tendon behind his knee. That's just my guess on it."
Defensive end Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan did not practice after suffering a cut in his mouth after being struck by an offensive lineman's helmet. He received several stitches.
