Aaron Bain does not believe in idle worship.

University of Hawai'i football players are tapering this week in preparation for this weekend's start of training camp.

But yesterday, Bain and teammates Kealoha Pilares and Daniel Libre were in the weight room at 6 a.m.

At 3:30 p.m., Bain kept busy, trying to defend his girlfriend, Kristen Oshiro, in a game of one-on-one soccer. Oshiro, a member of the Rainbow Wahine soccer team, repeatedly juked past Bain, who was grateful for another opportunity to develop his footwork.

"He's very humble," Oshiro said. "Even though he's supposed to start (at right slotback), he's out here by himself, trying to get better."

After three seasons as Ryan Grice-Mullins' understudy, Bain, who has never redshirted, enters as the successor at right slotback. During his three-year stint in the reserves, Bain bit his mouthpiece and never complained.

"If you love the team, you're not going to be selfish," Bain said. "Everybody wants to play. But if you really care about the team, you want to win, and you don't play for yourself. If you think only about yourself, it doesn't help the team."

In former UH coach June Jones' four-wide offense, the starting receivers rarely were substituted. That meant limited game experience for Bain. Still, Bain said, "it was good to practice with Ryan (Grice-Mullins) and Davone (Bess), and to learn. That was a good experience."

Bain, a 2005 Saint Louis School graduate, was not on scholarship during his first three UH seasons. His first year, he worked for his brother. Last year, he worked at Macy's folding clothes, proving that he knows how to find the crease.

This summer, he worked with youths in the Alder Street juvenile detention center.

"I'm majoring in sociology, so it was cool to see all of the different people," Bain said. "It was a good learning experience. I got to meet people from all over the island, and to hear a lot of different stories."

UH coach Greg McMackin said he will award a scholarship to Bain this weekend.

"I liked (joining as a walk-on), having to prove yourself," Bain said. "Once you accomplish that, that's half the battle. Some people like to take things for granted. Everything is spoon-fed for them. I don't like that. I want to earn everything."

That perseverance and dedication extend to his personal life.

"We were good friends before we went out," Oshiro said. "He's a very nice guy. He's my best friend. ... He didn't really ask me out. We started hanging out and he never left."

ONE SPOT TO FILL

The Warriors have crafted a training-camp roster of 104 players, one player below the NCAA limit. McMackin said he wants to save a spot in case a prospect becomes available.

The roster includes 21 defensive backs, 19 offensive linemen and 19 receivers.

The freshmen and junior-college transfers report Saturday. The veterans must report Sunday.

Visit Tsai's blog at http://warriorbeat.honadvblogs.com.