Former University of Hawai‘i offensive lineman Dane Uperesa yesterday returned from the Mainland, where he spent several weeks training for this past weekend’s National Football League Scouting Combine. Uperesa could not compete in skill drills after suffering two injuries. Here’s his diary entry:

Monday, Feb. 26: I'm still in shock.

I never missed a game at UH. I spent the whole week bragging to scouts how I'm durable. I might have missed some practices with some minor things. But I was never a guy who was prone to injuries. Then I get two injuries that stop me from doing things at the combine.

I strained my pec the weekend before we went to the combine. I couldn't bench.

Then Saturday, I woke up that morning extra confident. I was really sure I was going to test well in the sprints and the vertical jumps. I was prepared. I felt kind of unstoppable.

I went out for the first 40-yard dash. It felt good for the first 30 yards. And then as soon as I got 10 yards away from the finish line, my right leg skated on me. I pulled my hamstring.

I have to get over it. I have to get it out of my mind. Now I have to prepare for my pro day March 29 in Carson, Calif.

Fortunately I have a family that makes a good support group. They're convincing me this is not the end of the world. It's one of those things. In the long run, adversity is going to make me, if not a better athlete, a better person.

It was a good experience, regardless that it didn't work out. I was able to be around the top-echelon guys. I got to meet a lot of coaches and players at the combine. I got to meet head coach Herm Edwards from the Chiefs. That was real exciting.

At the same time, it's a little frustrating when you see guys test and get credit for things you might be able to do a little better. It's not cockiness. It's a lot of confidence. It's something every person has to have if they want to make it to the next level.

But I was happy my former teammate, Samson Satele, got the highest vertical jump among the linemen. He did a heck of a job at the combine, as expected.

I feel for another former teammate, Tala Esera, who came down with the flu and couldn't lift or run. He and I are in the same boat. It's frustrating for both of us. We're going to be at the pro day to do everything to impress the scouts.

I don't know the time table for my injuries. They feel good, but at the same token, will I be 100 percent? I'm not sure. But I'm very motivated. Come hell or high water, I'll work out.

I pulled my hamstring a couple of times before. Luckily for me, they were in the offseason. I've hurt it worse.

I'm walking normal. I was sitting down most of the plane ride home. Getting off the plane, my hamstring felt good. I was kind of jogging around the airport to test it out. I'm anxious to see how the healing process is going. The only time I felt pain was when I was trying to take my luggage off the conveyer belt at baggage claim.

I'm very happy to be home. You don't know how much you miss it until you leave it. I'll definitely eat my share of L&L. I love the weather here. It was freezing when I left the combine in Indianapolis.

God works in mysterious ways, and there's a reason for everything. I'll come back stronger from this.