Ferguson following Owens' path
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Jerry Glanville wasn't the only applicant at the job fair known as the University of Hawai'i football team's spring practice.
Jason Ferguson, a sophomore from Los Angeles, is the leading candidate to succeed All-American Chad Owens at left slotback.
"I already noticed he has more confidence in what he's doing," UH coach June Jones said of 5-foot-5 Ferguson. "That's what happens. Rookies become veterans when they get into games."
At the end of yesterday's 2-hour practice, Ferguson proudly announced he weighed 165.
"I gained almost 10 pounds," he said. "I lifted my butt off during the offseason."
Ferguson was a heavily recruited tailback/slotback when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in right knee during the spring of his junior year at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. Despite missing his senior season, Ferguson was offered a football scholarship from the Warriors, with the stipulation that he sit out the 2003 season and enroll at UH in January 2004.
By the end of the 2004 season, Ferguson was Owens' understudy and hand-picked successor.
With Owens and two other slotbacks completing their eligibility at the end of the 2004 season, Ferguson realized he needed to work on his candidacy.
He improved his strength through weight training while maintaining his quickness by running sprints and shuttle drills with Owens.
"I definitely went in with an edge because I played before," he said. "But I have to stay humble. There are a lot of good guys out here. The new guys can pick up the offense quickly. I know I can lose the spot or I could easily not be the starter. I feel good now, but I have to work hard to get one of the spots."
Jones said: "We have some openings. You have to answer the call when you get your break."
Bigger, faster, stronger
Running back Bryan Maneafaiga appears to have rebounded from a shoulder injury that abbreviated his 2004 season.
Maneafaiga, a Wai'anae High School graduate, broke away for a long touchdown run during yesterday's 11-on-11 drills.
"I feel a lot faster and stronger this year," he said.
Maneafaiga suffered torn ligaments in his left shoulder against Texas-El Paso last October. After rehabilitating from surgery, he said, "I'm pretty much 100 percent."
Linebacker Jake Ingram, a 2004 Mililani High School graduate, also looked fit during his second workout as a Warrior.
Ingram turned down scholarship offers from Boise State and Idaho to join the Warriors as a non-scholarship player. He delayed enrolling at UH until this past January, giving him the time to add 25 pounds to his 6-3 frame.
"It was a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and protein shakes," said Ingram, who now weighs 225.
Stickler released
Jones said running back Ryan Stickler has been cut from the football team because he failed to show up for Tuesday's opening workout of spring practice.
Jones said he cut Stickler on Tuesday afternoon.
"Ryan Stickler wasn't at practice," Jones said. "He's no longer on our team. By not showing up, I cut him."
Jones said Stickler, who is from Alta Loma, Calif., participated in offseason workouts and appeared to have adjusted to his move to running back.
Stickler was recruited as a quarterback, but moved to running back last year.
He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the 2004 opener against Florida Atlantic.
"He's a good kid, and all of that," Jones said. "Obviously, he didn't want to play here anymore. He's been working out with the guys, but I guess he had a change of heart."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
