Hawai'i middle linebacker Brashton Satele is expected to undergo season-ending surgery next week.

Satele and his parents met with a surgeon last night. They are scheduled to have another consultation with a Mainland specialist next week.

But Satele is expected to have a surgery that will keep him out of the lineup for the rest of the season.

Satele suffered the injury to his left shoulder during 6-on-7 drills Saturday. Because he had an injury to that shoulder last year and he suffered this injury prior to the start of UH's fall semester, he is an excellent candidate to receive a medical hardship that will enable him to play as a sixth-year senior in 2010.

Several former Warriors — including safety Leonard Peters, running back Nate Ilaoa and defensive tackle Lui Fuga — were granted an extra year based on situations similar to Satele's.

Satele, a fifth-year senior, was considered to be the leader of the defense. As the middle linebacker, he made most of the on-field defensive calls.

Mana Lolotai, a junior, was the No. 1 middle linebacker during yesterday's drills. Satele attended practice yesterday, but spent most of it running on the side.

"I've just been trying to make the most of my reps and make sure my assignments are correct," said Lolotai, who is 6 feet and 230 pounds.

Following spring training, the coaches decided to move Satele to defensive end and elevate Lolotai to No. 1 middle linebacker. But Satele participated in an intensive training program in Arizona, shedding 27 pounds. Soon after he returned to Hawai'i, he was moved back to middle linebacker.

"It's just competition," Lolotai said. "Brashton's been working hard in the offseason. We both push ourselves, and when someone goes down, someone else has to step up."

Defensive coordinator Cal Lee praised Lolotai.

"He had a great spring, and that was big for us because he really showed that he could step up and be a contributor for the fall," Lee said. "It all depends what happens to Brashton, but I think Mana is a very capable young person, who's energetic, enthusiastic and he showed that he can fit in and play the game."

BROWN UP TO SPEED

It has not taken long for Aaron Brown to start turning some heads.

The heralded transfer from Saddleback (Calif.) College already has somewhat of a cult following thanks to YouTube and has been working out as the top nickelback during the Warriors' fall camp.

"He's coming along nicely," Warriors' secondary coach Rich Miano said of Brown. "Everyday we've seen improvement from him and we expect him to be a big part of what we're doing defensively, so we're happy with his progress."

Brown was twice named first team All-Mission Conference while in junior college and was an honorable mention All-American last season. He collected 59 tackles with 15 for losses, including six sacks. Brown also intercepted a team-high four passes and forced a pair of fumbles.

"Everytime I look at his YouTube highlights, I get more and more excited," Miano said. "When we recruited him, we realized that we lost nine or 10 defensive backs last year, so the JC guys like himself, Tank Hopkins, Lametrius Davis, we expect those guys to contribute right away."

Brown, who is 6 feet 1 1/2 and 205 pounds, turned down offers from Oregon and Arizona State before committing to the Warriors.

"I'm getting really comfortable, learning the plays, so now I can just react and play football instead of trying to figure out the play," Brown said. "I have a good football sense, I've been around the game for a while and it just comes with reps. As long as I'm getting reps, I'm going to learn it."

Junior safety Spencer Smith said Brown has shown improvement in practice.

"He's coming along real well, he's picking up the defense," Smith said. "He's a smart kid and he's been studying his plays, being proactive in seeking help and in the secondary, we're like a tight-knit family, so we all help each other out."

Smith, who along with Mana Silva are the first-team safeties, said Brown's athleticism will hamper opposing offenses.

"He's a real good nickelback because he's physical and he has speed, too," Smith said. "He's going to help us out a lot on defense this year."

Brown credited Miano with helping to get him up to speed.

"He went though the plays with me, so I had a little bit of a jump start before fall camp actually started," Brown said.

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