University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones has learned there are no guarantees when it comes to playing the slots.

With six days to go before the season's baptism against two-time defending national champion Southern California, UH's slotback positions remain unsettled.

The preference would be for the two best receivers in camp — Jason Ferguson and Davone Bess — to rotate at left slotback, with either Nate Ilaoa or Ryan Grice-Mullen seizing the job at right slotback.

Ilaoa, who is 5 feet 9, reported to training camp three weeks ago weighing 249 pounds, a condition that soon led to a strained hamstring. He has dropped 19 pounds and his hamstring is no longer troublesome, but "it looks like he's running at about 70 percent," Jones said.

Jones said Ilaoa will play extensively — maybe even start — when "he's able to run and not pull a muscle. He's going to have to push it this week, and we'll see."

Ilaoa said: "I'm working my butt off to be ready, just like everybody else."

A few days ago, a teammate observed Ilaoa often socialized with the big men on campus — the offensive linemen. Acknowledging the implications of heft by association, Ilaoa said, smiling, "I do need to switch my group of friends."

He said he is related to five of the linemen. "You'll be catching me with them at lunch, but you'll be seeing my plate looking a lot different," Ilaoa said. "I'll be having half of what they get."

The coaches, meanwhile, are concerned about Grice-Mullen's availability. His strained right shoulder prevented him from participating in practices Friday and yesterday. Now Jones has set tomorrow as a soft deadline.

"Hopefully, Monday he can practice," Jones said. "I would not feel good playing him unless he practiced all week."

For the second practice in a row, Ross Dickerson, the starting right wideout, worked out at right slotback. The 2002 Saint Louis School graduate joined the Warriors as a slotback before moving to wideout last season.

"I was asked to go there in case somebody goes down and coach wants to put a veteran over there," Dickerson said. "I want to help out and refresh the memory. I'm still a little hazy in some areas, but I'll get it done."

Dickerson has been impressive in training camp, running precise routes, making sure-handed catches and remaining healthy. "I don't want to let down," he said. "I want to stay focused."

If Dickerson were to move to slot, the immediate successors would be Dylan Linkner, Desmond Thomas and Chad Mock.

Jones also said he could move Ferguson to right slotback, allowing Bess to start on the left side.

"We're going to have a bunch of people ready," Jones said.

MUSIC TO HIS EARS

In a long musical career, multiple Na Hoku Hanohano winner Jim Linkner has worked with a Who's Who of Hawai'i entertainers: Gabby Pahinui, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K, Olomana, Keali'i Reichel.

But his "biggest thrill" has been watching his son, wide receiver Dylan Linkner, practice with the Warriors.

"It's incredible," said Jim Linkner, who used a DVD camera to record yesterday's practice at UH's grass field. "He's always been a hard worker. He hasn't always been given the opportunity. Even in high school, when he played for Kailua, it was a little touch and go. This is the biggest opportunity he's ever been given."

Linkner has produced more than 400 albums, starting with Olomana's "Like a Seabird in the Wind" in 1976. He has worked with Brian Wilson and Michael McDonald. Robert Cazimero gave Dylan the Hawaiian name of Kilolani, which translates to "soothsayer who predicts the future by looking at the sky," because Dylan was born face up.

Still, Jim Linkner said he tried to separate his work and family.

"I didn't want to bring much of that into the home," he said. "It's kind of crazy. I wanted to keep a stable home environment."

Now he marvels at his son's ascent on the depth chart and the grade postings.

"The weird thing is, he was a below-average student in high school," Linkner said. At UH, "he's got a 2.95 (grade-point average). He's really put his mind to it. I couldn't be prouder. He's done it the right way."

ALIVE AND KICKING

Nolan Miranda was cleared to rejoin the team, providing competition for freshman kicker Daniel Kelly. Two months ago, Miranda told the coaches he was leaving the team because of a personal problem, which has since been resolved. He said he would report after finishing summer school work.

"The coaches didn't want to count on someone who might not be here," Miranda said. "I understood that. Now that I'm back, I'm going to make the best of it."

SWITCHING SIDELINES

Aloha Stadium officials confirmed UH will be on the makai sideline, usually reserved for visiting teams, against USC. Because of the 1:05 p.m. kickoff, the Warriors wanted to be on the shaded side. UH will keep its makai locker room, meaning the teams will cross paths at the end of the half and game.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.