The Hawai'i football team's 2005 recruiting class already is highly regarded.

It has featured quarterback Colt Brennan, slotbacks Davone Bess, Aaron Bain and Michael Washington, defensive end David Veikune, linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimimian, and kicker Dan Kelly.

Thing is, those players — who completed their UH eligibility — represent only part of the 2005 class.

The remaining members are preparing for their senior season, which begins with Friday's opener against Central Arkansas.

"This is the last hoo-rah," said right tackle Laupepa Letuli, one of four 2005 recruits who will start on the offensive line.

The other members of that class in the No. 1 rotation are: center John Estes, left tackle Aaron Kia, right guard Raphael Ieru, running back Inoke Funaki, defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea, defensive end Fetaiagaga "John" Fonoti, and linebackers R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane and Blaze Soares.

Middle linebacker Brashton Satele, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, is petitioning for a medical exemption that will enable him to play as a sixth-year senior in 2010.

The Warriors had a rare day off yesterday as they enter today's start of game week.

Here's a glimpse of the Warriors' status:

QUARTERBACKS

Senior Greg Alexander, who was awarded the No. 1 job the day after the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl in December, has improved his footwork and quickened his decision-making. Because of a strictly enforced throwing schedule, Alexander has what is termed a "live" arm entering game week. Brent Rausch and Bryant Moniz are bracketed at No. 2 — a tie that should be broken in the next couple of days. Rausch has a year more experience in the system; both have shown good pocket presence and strong arms. Shane Austin, who recovered from hand abrasions from an offseason mo-ped spill, is No. 4.

RUNNING BACKS

Leon Wright-Jackson has been hindered by numerous ailments since arriving as a heralded transfer from Nebraska in 2007. Wright-Jackson has been healthy, and he will take the first turn in the rotation. Funaki, who moved from quarterback, has shown to be an effective blocker and agile runner. Alex Green has been impressive in the preseason. At 6 feet 2 and 220 pounds, he has surprising perimeter speed. All three will double as the wildcat — the back who takes the direct snap. Receivers

Only slotbacks Kealoha Pilares and Greg Salas have extensive game experience, and both have switched positions — Pilares from running back, Salas from wideout. Jovonte Taylor, who missed all but three games in 2008 after suffering a viral infection, has regained the 25 pounds he lost. Taylor, who is the fastest Warrior (sub-4.4 seconds over 40 yards) and Royce Pollard are competing at right wideout in place of Malcolm Lane, who is redshirting this season. Rodney Bradley, who is recovering from a groin injury, won the left wideout's job. Slotbacks Ryan Henry, Dustin Blount and Jon Medeiros are in the mix for playing time.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The five starters — tackles Kia and Letuli, guards Ray Hisatake and Ieru, and center Estes — are fifth-year seniors. Estes missed the past four practices because of a bruised left shin; he is set to resume workouts today. Kia and Ieru have overcome knee tendinitis. The Warriors will rely on three versatile linemen as the primary backups — Matagisila Lefiti (center, guard), Adrian Thomas (guard, tackle) and Austin Hansen (tackle, guard, center). Clayton Laurel, who is recovering from a leg fracture, hopes to be close to 100 percent this week.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Especially against run-oriented opponents such as Louisiana Tech, Fresno State, Navy and Wisconsin, the Warriors will employ a four-man rotation at defensive tackle. Vaughn Meatoga, Tuika Tufaga and Savaiigaea have had an outstanding preseason under defensive tackle coach Dave Aranda, who coached the defensive ends last season. Fonoti and Elliott Purcell are the No. 1 ends in the base 4-3 defense.

LINEBACKERS

Satele's injury is significant. Not only had he emerged as the defensive leader, he made most of the defensive calls — key for a unit that often does not huddle. Thoughts of moving Soares to the middle were quickly dashed; he might be the Warriors' best pass rusher. Mana Lolotai inherits Satele's job. Jake Heun, a headhunter who apparently has healed from a herniated disk, is Lolotai's backup. Kiesel-Kauhane, who can bench press 450 pounds and has a 38-inch vertical jump, will align on the weak side. Cory Daniel, a former MMA fighter, has not practiced for two weeks after contracting pneumonia.

SECONDARY

Ailments have led to a shuffling of the secondary nearly every practice. Safeties Mana Silva and Kenny Estes have missed time. Tank Hopkins and Lametrius Davis were set to share the left cornerback's job. But both have had minor injuries, and Kawika Ornellas, who was added to the active roster two weeks ago after suffering from tendinitis in both knees, has taken reps as the No. 1 corner. Jeramy Bryant is set at right corner. The Warriors have three different schemes involving a fifth defensive back. Aaron Brown and Richard Torres each have specific roles as nickelbacks.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter Alex Dunnachie has wowed observers with his towering punts off a 1 1/2-step approach. What's more, his placements have been physics-defying. At Aloha Stadium, he placed a directional punt that hit the turf at the 5 and stayed put. Luke Ingram has been snapping more accurately after recovering from a sprained ankle. Taylor will be the No. 1 kick returner. Henry and Salas will take turns as punt returners. After a hot-and-lukewarm start, Scott Enos is now launching deep kickoffs.