Francis Maka's career as a college player has ended, but the former defensive end will remain with the Hawai'i football team as a student manager.

The announcement was made during an emotional team meeting Sunday night. Maka received a standing ovation.

"I'm glad I can still be around the guys," Maka said at the end of yesterday's first practice of training camp.

"I'm proud of him," head coach Greg McMackin said. "I'm glad he can help us, and I'm glad he will graduate."

Maka is a math major who is on track to earn a bachelor's degree in December.

Last season, his only one with the Warriors, Maka doubled as a pass-rusher and an energetic member of several special teams.

Maka attended the University Arizona for two years and the College of San Mateo for two years. Players are permitted five years to play four seasons.

He petitioned for a sixth season, noting that the same knee injury prevented him from playing at Arizona for two years. Former UH running back Nate Ilaoa was granted a sixth season using the same argument.

But Maka said he was not able to secure enough paperwork to document his medical claim.

PEOPLES RETURNS TO RB

A new season, a new position change for Khevin Peoples.

Peoples, a fifth-year senior, returns to running back after stops at outside linebacker and safety. As late as last Friday, he was listed as a safety.

"They need some speed guys over there, and I'm speedy," Peoples said. "Might as well put me over there."

He also is strong. In team testing, he power-cleaned 302 pounds and squat-lifted 455 pounds.

SECONDARY TAKES SHAPE

Left cornerback Ryan Mouton, right cornerback Jameel Dowling, strong safety Mana Silva and free safety Keao Monteilh formed the No. 1 defensive secondary yesterday.

Mouton, who also will serve as the nickelback, has locked down the left-corner position. He is sporting a new short haircut.

"The sun made me do the hair," Mouton said. "It's going to be pretty hot out here."

He decided to make the change during his one-week stay at his family home in Katy, Texas.

"One day it was 101 degrees," he said. "I tried to work out in that. It was like, 'yeah, this hair is going to have to be cut.' "

In addition to being a key player in UH's six defensive schemes, Mouton also will return kickoffs and play in specific offensive situations.

"I'm up for the challenge," he said. "Anything I can do to help the team out, I'm willing to do. Hopefully good things will come out of it."

Associate head coach Rich Miano, who coaches the secondary, said Silva was the top strong safety at the end of spring training.

"I like that he's 6-1, 210 pounds, runs 4.5 (seconds over 40 yards) and will hit you," Miano said. "Like everything else, you've got to start somewhere. After spring, he was the guy."

Miano said he expects Erik "E-Rob" Robinson to push Silva.

"That's a competitive battle that's probably going to go down to the wire," Miano said.

Silva displayed his quickness during yesterday's ladder drill in which players had to run sprints of 10, 20, 30 and 40 yards. Silva finished first.

This summer, Silva, who is a husband and father, tried to find balance to a hectic life. He relaxed by playing golf, surfing and fishing. This is his first year on the golf course.

"I played the back nine," he said of one outing, and "I was 44 over. It's fun."

Silva has earned a reputation as a hard hitter, despite his cautious play as a quarterback at Kamehameha-Hawai'i.

"My friend used to call me 'Detour' because I used to always run out of bounds — detour to the sidelines," Silva said, laughing.

Silva, who sat out last season after transferring from Oregon State, is not on scholarship.

"I'm still a walk-on," he said. "It's up to the coaches if I'm worthy of a scholarship."

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