The University of Hawai'i football team's spring practice begins tomorrow, but quarterback Colt Brennan already was in a familiar situation yesterday.

Once again, Brennan and backup quarterback Tyler Graunke were competitors and teammates.

"He's very good at golf," Brennan said as he prepared to tee off yesterday at the Turtle Bay Resort golf course. "He beat me a couple of times."

Graunke said he does not play enough to establish a handicap, but he usually shoots in the 80s.

"I've been playing since I was 5 years old," Graunke added. "I'd better have a clue."

Said Brennan: "We're on the same team, so we're cheering each other on."

Just like always.

"Me and Tyler have become good friends the past couple of years," Brennan said. "We always hang out."

They have made time despite what Brennan has described as a "crazy" offseason.

Brennan attended three awards ceremonies on the Mainland, made the emotional decision to remain at UH for his senior season, and battled a nasty cold.

His right big toe, which he stubbed from a dropped box while helping a friend move, has fully healed. Weight training has eased his on-again, off-again back stiffness.

Autographs? He has signed more than a few.

"There's no way I can estimate how many," he said. "Signing is a good thing. That's what you want."

Most of all, Brennan is "excited" about tomorrow's start of spring practice.

"This will kind of quench my thirst for football, hold me over until the summer," he said.

While Brennan will be involved in specific drills, he acknowledged, "I know spring practice is dedicated more to the younger guys."

The Warriors will conduct auditions for three starting jobs on the offensive line, one at running back, and another at right wideout.

They also will start the transition from a 3-4 defensive alignment — favored by last year's defensive coordinator, Jerry Glanville, now Portland State's head coach — to the 4-3 scheme used in June Jones' first six seasons as UH's head coach.

"It's going to be a fun 15 days (of spring practice)," Brennan said. "I can't wait to get out there. I want to see if a bunch of fans will show up (to practice) and if the enthusiasm is there."

Here's a position-by-position look:

QUARTERBACKS

Colt Brennan (6-3, 196, Sr.), Inoke Funaki (5-11, 195, So.), Tyler Graunke (6-0, 202, Jr.), Bryce Kalauokaaea (6-1, 190, Fr.), Kiran Kepo'o (6-1, 218, Fr.).

Spring work: Last year, Brennan set the NCAA single-season record for pass-efficiency rating. Graunke's rating was even better (although he did not attempt enough passes to qualify).

Graunke enters spring as the clear-cut No. 2 quarterback, and will receive most of the reps. "He has a very good understanding of what we're trying to do," quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said. "He's one of those kids whose play elevates in a game, like Colt's does."

Because Graunke is being groomed to be the starting quarterback in '08, he has been encouraged to attend more social functions this offseason. As Brennan has learned, there's more to being a starting quarterback than on-field responsibilities.

Funaki probably has the strongest throwing arm of the quarterbacks. This spring he will work on passing against specific defensive coverages. "He's smart, athletic, and very accurate," Morrison said. "It's a matter of playing experience."

RUNNING BACKS

Barry Batts (5-7, 194, So.), Cannon Berrong (Jr.), Alonzo Chopp (6-0, 245, Sr.), Mario Cox (5-11, 240, So.), David Farmer (6-0, 231, Jr.), Mikhail Kafentzis (5-7, 180, So.), Jason Laumoli (5-11, 284, Sr.), David Matautia (5-11, 233, Jr.), Khevin Peoples (5-11, 202, Jr.), Kealoha Pilares (5-10, 187, Fr.), Jayson Rego (5-9, 214, So.), Gabriel Weisbarth (5-10, 203, Fr.)

Spring work: With the departures of Nate Ilaoa and Reagan Mauia, the leading returning rusher is Brennan (366 yards, 4.3 per-carry average). Of the three returning running backs who played last year — Laumoli (34 yards), Peoples (7 yards) and Farmer (3) — their jersey numbers were higher than their rushing yards.

Siave Seti moves back to defensive tackle, and Cox, who did not play last year to focus on school work, gives it another shot at running back. Also back is Kafentzis, who played in 2005 as a freshman and spent time in Oregon last year.

Leon Wright-Jackson, who played at Nebraska as a freshman in 2005, should contend for the starting job in training camp. For now, the early leader is Pilares, who was The Advertiser's 2005 Offensive Player of the Year as a Damien Memorial School senior. During team testing, Pilares led the running backs in the 40-yard dash (4.55 seconds), pro-agility shuttle (4.07) and long shuttle (11.69).

RECEIVERS

Left wideout: Jett Jasper (6-1, 202, Fr.), Tua Mahaley (6-4, 200, So.), Jason Rivers (6-2, 192, Sr.), Greg Salas (6-1, 181, Fr.).

Left slotback: Davone Bess (5-10, 195, Jr.), Mitch Farney (5-11, 188, Fr.), Kenji Hollaway (5-9, 184, Fr.), Jon Medeiros (5-9, 191, So.), Michael Washington (5-7, 165, Jr.).

Right slotback: Aaron Bain (5-9, 183, Jr.), Jason Ferguson (5-5, 170, Jr.), Ryan Grice-Mullins (5-11, 179, Jr.), Marquez Jackson (5-8, 148, So.), Eric Shaffer (5-8, 188, Fr.), Rick Taylor (5-9, 169, Fr.).

Right wideout: C.J. Hawthorne (5-11, 166, Sr.), Malcolm Lane (6-1, 181, So.), Dylan Linkner (6-0, 202. Jr.).

Spring work: The three returning starters — Rivers, Bess and Grice-Mullins — will have limited duty this spring. Rivers has had a good offseason. In team testing, he was tied for the best 40 time (4.45 seconds), and had a 34 1/2-inch vertical jump.

The Warriors hope they won't have to wait until training camp for a starter to emerge at right wideout. Lane, who moved into the playing rotation at mid-season, has the most experience. Hawthorne, who also ran 40 yards in 4.45 seconds, is switching from cornerback. Salas, who redshirted last season, was impressive during practices in 2006. He will open on the left side, and if he plays well enough, could move to the right to challenge for a starting spot.

Washington, Farney (4.54 in the 40), Taylor and Bain (385-pound bench press) are seeking expanded roles. Ferguson, who has had two knee procedures in the past eight months, will not compete in drills.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Left tackle: Ray Hisatake (6-3, 310, Jr.), Aaron Kia (6-4, 283, So.), Laupepa Letuli (6-3, 287, So).

Left guard: Raphael Ieru (6-3, 340, So.), Daniel Johnson (6-4, 297, So.), Hercules Satele (6-2, 288, Sr.).

Center: Brysen Ginlack (6-1, 296, Fr.), Joey Lipp (6-3, 261, Fr.), Clarence Lafu Tuioti-Mariner (6-0, 279, Jr.).

Right guard: John Estes (6-2, 290, So.), Larry Sauafea (6-2, 313, Sr.).

Right tackle: Keith Ah Soon (6-1, 294, Jr.), Kavan "Three Plus" Bannigan (6-6, 376, Jr.), Nathan McKay (6-2, 280, So.), Keoni Steinhoff (6-3, 275, Jr.), Adrian Thomas (6-5, 340, Fr.)

Others: Lucas Kennard (6-1, 254, Fr.), Daniel Otineru (6-1, 303, Jr.).

Spring work: The most imposing returnee is 48 years old, almost naturally bald and shock-radio blunt. Dennis McKnight was promoted to full-time assistant after serving as a graduate assistant in charge of the offensive line last year. His first chore is to find replacements with attitudes similar to NFL-hopefuls Samson Satele, Tala Esera and Dane Uperesa.

"These guys are fighting for jobs," McKnight said. "They're lifting. They're running. And they're helping each other. The thing that made this team so special last year was the love they had for each other. They had each other's back. If we can do that again, care for each other like we're brothers and not just teammates, that will separate us from the so-so teams."

Estes and Satele, both of whom were efficient lead blockers on the counter runs, are the incumbents. Tuioti-Mariner's development shelved plans to move Estes to center. Tuioti-Mariner had team-high lifts in the power clean (318 pounds) and squat (570).

"He deserves the opportunity because he worked his butt off," McKnight said. "He does everything right. He never complains."

Hisatake played defensive tackle in junior college, but the Warriors believe his reach, footwork and first-push strength make him a suitable back-side blocker.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Tackles: Fale Laeli (6-2, 285, Jr.), Michael Lafaele (6-0, 302, Sr.), Rocky Savaiigaea (6-3, 321, So.), Siave Seti (6-0, 281, Sr.), Keala Watson (6-3, 328, Jr.).

Ends: Cameron Allen-Jones (6-2, 255, So.), Victor Clore (6-2, 225, So.), John Fonoti (6-2, 247, So.), Jared Lene (6-3, 222, Fr.), Paul Harmon (6-3, 260, Jr.), Francis Maka (6-1, 242, Jr.), Karl Noa (6-4, 238, Sr.), Amani Purcell (6-3, 257, Sr.), Elliott Purcell (6-3, 240, Fr.), Nathan Russell (6-2, 250, Sr.), David Veikune (6-3, 258, Jr.).

Spring work: The switch to a four-linemen front should benefit defensive ends Noa, Fonoti and Amani Purcell. Each was undersized as defensive tackles in the 3-4 scheme. Noa should excel as an off-the-edge pass rusher. In team testing, he produced wideout-like results: 4.55 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 4.05 seconds in the pro-agility shuttle, 11.90 seconds in the long shuttle, and team highs in the vertical jump (36 1/2 inches) and broad jump (9 feet 6). "From a testing standpoint, he might be our most outstanding athlete," defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold said.

Veikune would be a close second, with a 4.75 time in the 40 and a team-high bench of 455 pounds.

In the 3-4, the ends have to control two gaps. In the 4-3, they have one-gap responsibilities. "Our ends are much better suited for this (4-3) system," Reinebold said.

Lafaele played all of last season with a painful heel injury. A second interior lineman — Watson or Savaiigaea — will ease Lafaele's burden.

LINEBACKERS

Inside: Solomon Elimimian (6-0, 224, Jr.), Adam Leonard (6-0, 230, Jr.), Timo Paepule (6-2, 255, Sr.), Josh Rice (5-11, 206, So.), Rustin Saole (5-11, 239, Sr.), Nate Whittier (6-0, 207, Jr.).

Outside: C.J. Allen-Jones (6-1, 224, Jr.), Kiel Dela Pena (6-1, 221, Sr.), Guyes Galdeira (5-6, 184, Fr.), Tyson Kafentzis (6-1, 230, Jr.), Brad Kalilimoku (5-10, 213, Sr.), R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane (5-11, 222, So.), Micah Lau (5-9, 218, Sr.), Brashton Satele (6-2, 243, So.), Sebastian Siaki (6-2, 208, Fr.), Blaze Soares (6-1, 224, So.).

Spring work: Leonard led the team in tackles (114) last year despite playing with a fractured hand. For the first time in three years (he was recovering from knee surgery as a freshman), Leonard is healthy. The next question is where he will play this coming season. Elimimian and Leonard are the Warriors' best linebackers, but one will have to move to the outside in the 4-3 scheme. It would appear that Leonard, who made several open-field tackles last season, would be more suitable on the outside. But Elimimian actually is faster (4.68 in the 40 to Leonard's 4.78) and would be a good match against the tight end.

The Warriors did not lose any linebackers from last year and have one fewer linebacker position. If Leonard or Elimimian goes to the outside, that would mean five players with starting experience (Soares, Kafentzis, Lau, Allen-Jones, Kalilimoku) would compete for one spot. Satele also will join the mix.

For now Kalilimoku, who can bench press 425 pounds and run 40 yards in 4.62 seconds, remains at linebacker. He opened last season at safety.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Left cornerbacks: Guyton Galdeira (5-7, 163, Jr.), Keenan Jones (6-2, 190., Sr.), Gerard Lewis (5-9, 168, Sr.), Ryan Perry (5-9, 175, So.), Chris Thorpe (5-8, 191, Jr.).

Right cornerbacks: JoPierre Davis (6-0, 199, So.), Ryan Keomaka (5-10, 173, Sr.), Daniel Libre (5-8, 179, Jr.), A.J. Martinez (5-10, 179, Sr.), Myron Newberry (5-8, 164, Sr.).

Safeties: Kirk Alexander (6-2, 201, Jr.), Josh Aufai (5-10, 190, Jr.), Kenny Estes (6-0, 193, Fr.), B.J. Fruean (6-2, 220, So.), Davin Iwata (5-11, 197, So.), Joseph Malabuyoc (6-0, 207, Fr.), Keao Monteilh (5-11, 181, Jr.), Waikaloa Noa (6-1, 202, Sr.), Jake Patek (6-0, 202, Sr.), Erik Pedersen (6-0, 197, So.), Dane Kealoha Porlas (5-10, 179, Jr.), Spencer Smith (5-11, 185, Fr.), Desmond Thomas (6-3, 171, Jr.).

Spring work: During the past two seasons, the Warriors used traditional free and strong safeties. This year, with an emphasis on cover-2 schemes, the Warriors will revert to left and right safeties, with each having the ability to play the run and pass coverage.

Patek, who was a free safety playing strong safety last season, should make an easy transition. Among the safeties, Patek had the fastest 40 (4.55) and pro agility shuttle (4.13) times.

Smith, who made every road trip despite redshirting last year, Alexander (133 sit-ups in two minutes), Monteilh and Thomas should push for starting jobs.

If Fruean can maintain his recent good study habits — he did not play last year to focus on academics — he could seize a starting job. Fruean can power clean 286 pounds, more than any offensive lineman except Estes.

Newberry and Lewis ended the season as the starting corners. Martinez, who is recovering from injuries suffered in a snowboard accident, and Keomaka should push for playing time.

SPECIALISTS

Placekickers: Briton Forester (5-9, 171, So.), Dan Kelly (6-3, 202, Jr.)

Punters: Kenji Hollaway, Dan Kelly, Jeremy Shibata (5-8, 246, So.)

Long-snappers: David Farmer, Jake Ingram (6-4, 268, Jr.).

Spring work: Kelly is the top candidate to succeed Kurt Milne as punter, a seldom-used position last year. Eight of the 16 punts were in the first three games. In workouts, Kelly's punts average 4.5 seconds in hang time.

Kelly believes he worked out the mechanical flaws that led to his early-season problems with placekicks.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.