During the University of Hawai'i football banquet two weeks ago, quarterback Jake Santos was named the Warriors' Scout Player of the Year for offense.

But according to NCAA rules, Santos does not exist — and the fourth-year player from San Diego will not be on the travel roster for the Sugar Bowl, nor receive any of the accompanying gifts.

"It's a raw deal," Santos said, a sentiment echoed by his teammates and coaches.

"I feel terrible for him," said defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, whose first-team defense competes against the Santos-led scout offense in practices. "He's done a great job, and he's prepared us every week. He has a lot to do with our defense being successful."

An NCAA rule requires Santos, who transferred from Division II Missouri Southern in July, to wait an academic year to gain eligibility as a Division I-A player.

"He's eligible to practice, but not eligible to compete," UH compliance officer Bill Bryant said.

Redshirts and players on medical leave are eligible for the UH travel roster, but not those redshirting as part of NCAA transfer rules.

"You can't travel if you're not eligible, and he's not eligible," Bryant said.

Santos did not know he was excluded until he saw a posting of the travel roster.

"I thought since school is over, I could go," Santos said. "I thought not being able to suit up (for games) is punishment enough. But I guess the NCAA says you can't get into the postseason.

"The whole entire year you feel fine, and I still feel part of the team," Santos added. "You have to deal with it."

Dan Morrison, who coaches the quarterbacks, said: "We tried. We looked at different situations. It's an unfortunate situation. We would have loved to take him. That rule is the only reason he's not going."

Santos said he will pay his own way to attend the game as a spectator. He will return to his family home in San Diego on Christmas Eve, then leave the morning of Jan. 1 for that evening's Sugar Bowl.

"I'm flying myself out there because I want to be part of the team," Santos said. "I want to watch the game."

UH is looking into whether Santos will be allowed to receive a ring commemorating the Warriors' 2007 Western Athletic Conference championship.

"I don't know if I get a ring, which would suck because we won our WAC championship when I was out there," Santos said.

McMackin said: "We sure hope he gets one."

RINGING IN THE YEAR

The Warriors yesterday were fitted for WAC championship rings.

McMackin, in consultation with players and coaches, helped choose the style.

McMackin declined to describe the specifics, but said, "we wanted to design something that was good enough for the accomplishment the team made. That's what we worked for. Hopefully, they'll like it. It's a story of this year on the ring, with a lot of bling."

LETULI ON THE RISE

Laupepa Letuli has been a steady reserve offensive lineman. Now he will experience life on the edge.

Letuli has been competing as a perimeter blocker — tight end? — in recent practices.

"I think he's going to be a great player," offensive line coach Dennis McKnight said. "I think potentially he could become one of the best offensive linemen to ever come out of this school. He's big, strong, athletic, fast. His top end is unlimited. He could be a dominant, dominant player."

Letuli, who can play guard or tackle, has endured injuries that have kept him from breaking into the playing rotation. In 2005, his first year at UH, he suffered a chipped bone in his right shoulder.

Last year, he suffered a fractured left hand and two injuries to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Letuli, who is 6 feet 3, has gained more than 25 pounds the past two years and now weighs more than 300.

"That's some good weight," he said, smiling. "Most of it is bad. I need to work my way back. I have to stop eating a lot."

McKnight said the new role is a way to increase Letuli's playing time.

"He's a tough kid, with good character," McKnight said. "If I could trade places with anyone, I'd trade places with him. That sucker's got it all in front of him."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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