The University of Hawai'i is building its football future by taking care of the corners first.

Deyon McElroy, a cornerback from Chaffey College in California, has accepted a scholarship offer from the Warriors.

McElroy and Bakersfield (Calif.) College cornerback Kenny Graham, who committed in February, will enroll at UH in January 2008.

"It's a good school and a good football program," said McElroy, who is 6 feet and 170 pounds.

McElroy took recruiting trips to Wyoming and Syracuse. He verbally committed to Wyoming in January, but rescinded soon after.

"I talked to my parents, and I felt (Wyoming) wasn't for me," McElroy said.

Then UH called. Seeking advice, McElroy contacted a former teammate in high school, UH slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins.

"He's one of my close friends," McElroy said. "He said Hawai'i is a good place."

McElroy can run 40 yards in under 4.5 seconds.

In 10 games last season, he made six interceptions and broke up 20 passes. He was named to the All-Foothill Conference first team.

"He's one of our better football players," Chaffey head coach Carl Beach said. "We play a lot of man (man-to-man coverage), and he does a nice job in man coverage. Everyone wants a corner who can be a cover guy. He's that corner."

Beach said McElroy would benefit from more time in the weight room.

"He's not real thick right now," Beach said. "That's something they can work out."

PERRY A QUICK STUDY

For a scout player, the most coveted honor is to be named to the All-Card team.

Head coach June Jones coordinates the scout-team defense, which portrays the upcoming opponent during offensive drills. Before each snap, Jones will hold up a card showing the defensive play.

"June wants the defense to read the card and execute the play," said Rich Miano, who coaches the defensive backs. "Ryan (Perry) made June's' All-Card team. June was very impressed by Ryan's ability to read a card and make the right play. If you can do that, June will be real high on you."

Perry was named the Top Defensive Scout last year. This spring training, Perry, who is 5 feet 10 and now weighs 174 pounds, is listed as the No. 2 nickelback.

"If everybody studied as much as Ryan Perry, we would not make any errors," Jones said. "He studies the game and knows what's going on."

Perry has excelled despite being born with Erb's Palsy, a nerve condition that does not allow him full use of his right arm. The condition could be traced to delivery problems during his birth.

He underwent surgery when he was 6, and by the next year, he was playing tackle football.

"I compensated and learned to deal with it," said Perry, whose father, Rod Perry, was a National Football League cornerback.

Perry played at Sacramento State as a freshman in 2005. He transferred to UH last year.

In accordance with NCAA transfer rules, he was required to redshirt in 2006. Perry decided to take an active role. He ran extra laps after practices. He volunteered for the scout team.

"It helped me a lot," Perry said. "I had the chance to play against Colt (Brennan) and Davone (Bess) and (Jason) Rivers all day long. It was awesome to play against the best."

He also used the time to work on improving his quickness and strength. He said he increased his weight to 180 last month. During team testing, he had the fastest pro-agility shuttle, completing the distance in 3.99 seconds.

"I think the extra weight gave me the strength to push off better," Perry said.

Miano said: "He's a student of the game like no one else on this team."

INJURY BUG HITS SATELE

If middle linebacker Brashton Satele did not have bad luck, he would not have any luck at all.

Satele has not practiced this week after suffering an injury to his right foot last Thursday. He was on crutches through Sunday.

In the first three practices of this week, his right foot has been in a medical boot.

"It's just bad luck," said Satele, who has not been injury-free for an extended period since enrolling at UH in August 2005. "That's OK. I'm going to fight through this and come back stronger," he said. "That's what I'm going to work on."

NO SPEED LIMIT

The Hawai'i Speed and Quickness clinic now has no age limit.

Beginning with this weekend's sessions, the clinic is open to quickness seekers ages 5 and older.

The sessions will be held Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the UH athletic complex.

Each session is $10, and includes coupons and instruction on plyometrics and resistance training.

Several well-known athletes will serve as guest instructors.

For details, call 739-5444 or go to: www.hawaiispeedandquickness.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.