Former University of Hawai'i defensive end David Veikune has been invited to play in the prestigious Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.

The Jan. 24 all-star game serves as an evaluation period for the National Football League, which sponsors the game.

Several hundred NFL general managers, personnel directors, coaches and scouts attend the weeklong activities that are a precursor to the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity," Veikune said.

By accepting, Veikune had to back out of playing in the East-West Shrine Game in Houston. That all-star game will be played Jan. 17.

Veikune and former UH cornerback Ryan Mouton are training in Carson, Calif. Veikune, Mouton and long-snapper Jake Ingram have been invited to the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

Veikune said he has been working on speed drills. He is projected as a defensive end in a 4-3 alignment and an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

He said he is on a diet that requires him to consume 4,800 calories a day. Sunfare provides his pre-made meals.

"You get to choose what you like and what you don't like," Veikune said. "It helps. You don't have to think about cooking."

Veikune, who is 6 feet 3, wishes to weigh "in the 260 range" when he reports for the Senior Bowl workouts.

Veikune was one of the strongest Warriors. In team testing, he bench pressed a maximum 455 pounds. He also benched 225 pounds 37 times.

The 225-pound lifts are included in the combine evaluations. Veikune said the NFL has a stricter standard for weight-lifting techniques.

Still, he said he hopes to bench 225 pounds about 35 times in front of NFL scouts.

SPEED AND QUICKNESS

The Hawai'i Speed and Quickness' Winter/Spring session begins next weekend at UH's Klum Gym.

Each session is $10, and includes Jamba Juice and Jack in the Box coupons.

Sessions are open to all ages, and run from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

For details, call 739-5444. Or log on to: www.hawaiispeedandquickness.com.

Here's the schedule:

January: 17, 18, 24, 25, 31.

February: 1, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28.

March: 1, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29.

April: 4, 5, 18, 19, 25, 26.

May: 9, 10, 23, 24, 30, 31.