For all that Tyler Graunke has lost in the University of Hawai'i's fast-paced quarterback derby, Greg Alexander is the flip side, a guy with a chance to emerge with the boldest gains.

Whether Alexander or Inoke Funaki becomes the grand prize winner, as starter for the Aug. 30 season-opener at Florida, remains to be seen tomorrow when the Warriors, who say they want to weigh another day of practices, are scheduled to announce a decision.

That coaches even feel compelled to look at another set of practices at this point suggests that Alexander, a junior college transfer, has helped make things interesting. For all the supposition of an open and shut case at the position, Alexander has, at the least, got a big foot in the door despite being on the scene for less than three months.

Even for someone who is 6 foot 4, it can be said Alexander has made some long strides in a short time at UH. Graunke's prolonged absence due to academic issues opened up more practice time and Alexander has made the most of the situation.

"You've got to like his progress and I think that is a testament to him (because) from the day he stepped on the island he has been focused on football," said quarterbacks coach Nick Rolovich.

Rolovich knows of what he speaks. As a JC transfer at UH (2000-'01) who took time to check out the beaches, Rolovich said, "I look back at my experiences and I didn't take it as seriously (at first) as he did. I have a lot of respect for his effort and determination. I mean, from the minute he got here he has competed for the job and been focused on football."

Head coach Greg McMackin says, "He's had a good camp. The good thing about him is that he has been in it the whole time. He's been here all summer working hard. He's first at meetings and has done everything we've asked of him. He's got a strong arm and he's a winner."

Just how much of a winner Rolovich witnessed first-hand. "I think he brought them (Santa Rosa) back from a 21-points down against us," said Rolovich, who coached at City College of San Francisco.

Maybe part of Alexander's drive and keen sense of purpose come from realizing that UH is a chance to play major college football that he almost didn't get. Despite his 3,876 yards — second most among JC quarterbacks in California last season at Santa Rosa — and 43 touchdown passes, UH was Alexander's only scholarship-in-hand suitor.

"They were the best option I had and they were telling me I'd have a chance to compete (for the starting) job," Alexander said. "I loved the offense because it is similar to what we ran and I liked the schedule. I wanted the opportunity to compete."

And, if you're UH, you've got to like what he's done with it so far.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.