University of Hawai'i linebacker Jake Heun wears a mohawk, sports a tattoo that says "animal" over the right side of his chest and sneers at quarterbacks who "wear special little jerseys that say: 'Don't hit me.' "

So, when Heun talked up incoming quarterback Greg Alexander's toughness this time last year, people immediately took note.

Heun sacked Alexander twice in a 2007 California junior college playoff game and came away "impressed with his pocket presence. A lot of quarterbacks, when you start banging on them, shy away or start yelling at their linemen. Not (Alexander)," Heun said.

In time, the Warriors and their fans came to admire the same qualities during a 2008 season in which Alexander was equal parts passer and pinata in a rookie year spent learning on the run.

Alexander's tenacity and durability now well established, what everybody looks for in this, his senior season, are the kind of improvements that will help take him off the endangered species list and make the Warriors' offense explosive.

Perhaps no quarterback in UH history suffered as many sacks (32 in nine games) per amount of playing time as Alexander did last year. Even Dan Robinson, who sustained the hardest knocks in UH's 0-12 season of 1998, had 31 in 12 games.

For Alexander, it wasn't enough that he got tossed into a very big frying pan very quickly, debuting against eventual national champion Florida in The Swamp. It came with a largely new supporting cast, rebuilt coaching staff and often reshuffled offense. Trying to build chemistry sometimes took a backseat to self-preservation.

Yet, between chucking and ducking, losing a starting job and winning it back, Alexander completed 63 percent of his passes and sustained just five interceptions, throwing for 1,895 yards and 14 touchdowns. He displayed not only commendable resolve but occasional flashes of brilliance.

The kind that, with more support around him and the fine tuning of his own game, could propel Alexander and the Warriors to a breakout season.

To be sure, the offensive line and receivers are working on doing their part in the preseason drills on the Manoa campus. To watch Alexander this past week has been to see a point-by-point dedication to polishing up his end, too.

Part of the problem last year was recognition and mechanics. Not surprisingly for a first year, he sometimes didn't know the offense well enough, read the defenses fast enough or get the ball off quickly enough. Too often footwork and the double — and triple — pump were a downfall.

"He's so much better at being able to feel the pocket," said Nick Rolovich, UH's quarterbacks coach. "He's getting better at using his eyes as a weapon, but mainly, making the decisions and getting the ball off. A lot of that is pre-snap recognition."

Added Rolovich: "He did a lot of good things last year but he missed a lot, also. He knows that."

Last year we saw how tough Alexander could be. This time around the sharpness is Job One.