Before the University of Hawai'i football team's spring practice yesterday, Keao Monteilh received warm congratulations from a teammate.

"For what?" Monteilh recalled asking. "I thought he thought I went to Merrie Monarch or something."

Monteilh had reason to be merry after learning he was elevated to No. 1 left safety.

"Keao is really doing things right and playing hard," said defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, who posted his first depth chart yesterday. "Rich (Miano, the defensive secondary coach) and I felt he deserved a shot with the first unit. We'll keep evaluating things, but as of today, he's No. 1."

Monteilh replaced Kealoha Porlas, who was on the first team during the Warriors' first six spring workouts.

"I had the butterflies in the beginning," Monteilh said. "I had fun. I love it out there."

The move completed a remarkable comeback for Monteilh. During final-examination week in December 2005, Monteilh suffered from appendicitis. His grades dropped while he recovered.

In March 2006, Monteilh was dismissed from the team because of his academic problems, but he was allowed to attend classes. At the end of the 2006 spring semester, UH coach June Jones did not renew Monteilh's scholarship. But Jones told Monteilh the scholarship would be restored if he continued to receive good grades.

Monteilh rejoined the team last September. He opted to redshirt, allowing him time to improve his grades and physical condition. He also decided to move from cornerback, where he was a part-time starter in 2004 and 2005, to safety.

"I worked with (conditioning) coach Mel (deLaura) on my speed and my strength," said Monteilh, who added 15 pounds to his 5-foot-10 1/2 frame and now weighs 193. e increased his maximum bench press from 275 pounds to 345.

"Before, my 40 time was, maybe, forever," he said.

In team testing last month, he ran 40 yards in 4.59 seconds, the 13th-fastest time among the Warriors.

"He did what he was supposed to do," deLaura said. "He wasn't off doing other things."

Monteilh's grades also improved. His scholarship was reinstated in January.

Monteilh now has a study buddy, his 2 1/2-year-old son, Kanoa.

"Sometimes I bring him to class," Monteilh said. "He's in my English and Hawaiian classes. He's a true Kanoa from Manoa."

FIRST UNIT TAKES SHAPE

McMackin has an expanded first unit on defense.

Michael Lafaele, who has been bothered by a hand injury, and Keala Watson are the defensive tackles.

Amani Purcell, Karl Noa and David Veikune are rotating at the two defensive-end positions.

The linebackers are Solomon Elimiman in the middle, Adam Leonard on the weak side and Blaze Soares on the strong side. Outside linebacker Brad Kalilimoku also is receiving work on the first team.

"Brad will roll with the linebackers," McMackin said. "We feel he qualifies as a first-unit linebacker."

Monteilh is the left safety and Jake Patek the right safety. Gerard Lewis is the left cornerback and Myron Newberry the right cornerback. Ryan Keomaka will rotate with Lewis and Newberry.

"We think we have three No. 1 corners," McMackin said.

Keomaka said: "I'm stepping up on the ladder."

Keomaka, who is about 5 feet 10, weighed under 150 pounds as a UH freshman. Entering his fifth year at UH, Keomaka said, "I'm 172, baby. All steel. I'm eating iron in the weight room."

McMackin said Guyton Galdeira will serve as the nickelback.

"I was told I had a handicap; I'm vertically challenged," said Galdeira who is 5 feet 7, "5-8 with cleats."

McMackin said: "As long as he can jump, we don't care about those other things. He's really technically sound. He's perfect for a nickelback."

In the Okie package, a 3-3-5 alignment implemented yesterday, Galdeira serves as the speed linebacker. He is used as a blitzer, pass defender and run stopper.

"It's a pretty big role," Galdeira said. "I guess coach (McMackin) sees something in me."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.