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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, May 5, 2006

Changes just a sample of Warriors' depth

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i wideout Ian Sample will move from the left side to the right, strong safety Brad Kalilimoku might be on the move again, and two players who use initials for first names will lead the secondary.

UH coach June Jones yesterday confirmed those developments in announcing the Warriors' post-spring-practice depth chart.

There were a few surprises. John Estes, who redshirted as a freshman last season, is listed as the top right guard, succeeding Brandon Eaton, who has a tryout with the Washington Redskins.

"John Estes is a very good player who had a very good spring," Jones said. "If we were to start the season right now, John Estes would be a starter."

Samson Satele, who earned league and national honors as a left guard, is listed as the starting center.

Kalilimoku, who started at inside linebacker last season, is the No. 1 strong safety. Kalilimoku played well at that position for the first week of spring training before suffering a pulled hamstring.

"We're going to make a decision on him," Jones said. "I'm not sure he won't go to outside linebacker when it's all over."

Jones said Sample, who is petitioning the NCAA to allow him to return as a sixth-year senior, will move to right wideout. "I thought he played the best of all of our wideouts," Jones said. "I think he can handle the transition to the right side better than some of the other guys."

Jones said there are no further moves planned for Kenny Patton, who switched from cornerback to wideout. "He'll stay at receiver," Jones said.

Patton did not compete in the final six spring practices after suffering an injury to his right quadriceps.

Jones said C.J. Allen-Jones, who redshirted as a sophomore in 2005, has emerged as the top outside linebacker on the left side. Allen-Jones moved ahead of Tyson Kafentzis.

For now, the Warriors have settled on cornerbacks A.J. Martinez and C.J. Hawthorne. Martinez was used as a wideout/kick returner last season.

Hawthorne, who transferred from a junior college in January, was used as a wideout for nine practices of spring training. But he was impressive enough in his six practices as a cornerback to earn the top spot on the right side.

"Of all of the guys on campus, C.J. and A.J. would be the best cornerbacks," Jones said.

Nine recruits who can play cornerback will join the Warriors for training camp in August.

Here's the depth chart (with starters listed first):

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Colt Brennan, Tyler Graunke, Inoke Funaki, William Brogan.

Running back: Nate Ilaoa, Reagan Mauia, David Farmer.

Left wideout: Chad Mock, Jason Rivers.

Left slotback: Davone Bess, Michael Washington.

Right slotback: Ryan Grice-Mullins, Aaron Bain.

Right wideout: Ross Dickerson, Ian Sample.

Left tackle: Tala Esera, Keith Ah Soon.

Left guard: Hercules Satele, Laupepa Letuli.

Center: Samson Satele, Marques Kaonohi.

Right guard: John Estes, Larry Sauafea.

Right tackle: Dane Uperesa, Rafael Ieru.

DEFENSE

Left end: Melila Purcell III, Keala Watson.

Nose tackle: Michael Lafaele, Lawrence Wilson.

Right end: Ikaika Alama-Francis, Fale Laeli.

Left outside linebacker: C.J. Allen-Jones, Tyson Kafentzis.

Left inside linebacker: Solomon Elimimian, Timo Paepule.

Right inside linebacker: Adam Leonard, Rustin Saole.

Right outside linebacker: John Fonoti, Brashton Satele.

Left cornerback: A.J. Martinez, C.J. Tausaga.

Free safety: Leonard Peters, Dane Porlas.

Strong safety: Brad Kalilimoku, Desmond Thomas, Michael Malala.

Right cornerback: C.J. Hawthorne, Guyton Galdeira.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.