By reward and necessity, the Hawai'i football team has scrambled its defensive depth chart.

R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane moved from weakside linebacker to middle linebacker, Jake Heun moved from middle linebacker to left end, and defensive ends Bo Montgomery and Mike Maracle went from scout team into the playing rotation.

With Kiesel-Kauhane starting in the middle, Corey Paredes becomes the No. 1 weakside linebacker. Heun will start at left end. Tank Hopkins, who has recovered from an injured hip flexor, practiced as the No. 1 left cornerback.

Injuries and inexperienced play prompted the moves.

The Warriors had been seeking a replacement for middle linebacker Brashton Satele, who two weeks ago underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. Mana Lolotai started in the middle in the Warriors' 25-20 victory over Central Arkansas the past Friday.

Kiesel-Kauhane, Paredes and strongside linebacker Blaze Soares are hard hitters. Paredes forced a decisive Central Arkansas fumble in the final minute.

Paredes was awarded a scholarship during training camp. "I don't mind at all repaying the favor," Paredes said of his promotion. "I'm happy coach Mack (Greg McMackin) is giving me a chance to help the team."

For Kiesel-Kauhane, playing middle linebacker — which requires making many of the defensive calls — is an extension of his role as a co-captain.

The move, he said, "comes kind of natural to me. It's not that big of a transition."

Heun is one of the most aggressive Warriors. McMackin said that while Heun has average speed for a linebacker, he is considered to be quick for a defensive end. McMackin likened Heun to Matt Paul, a starter on the Warriors' 1999 team. Paul made a similar move from linebacker to end.

"I like it," Heun said. "The way I look at it, the more linebackers we can get on the field, the better."

At City College of San Francisco in 2007, Heun was used as a rover on defense. There were some schemes in which he aligned near the line of scrimmage as a stand-up defensive end.

Heun said he is more comfortable rushing out of a stand-up stance.

"Coach Mack said he doesn't really care because the ends are like 'backers," Heun said.

But Heun likely will be in a three-point stance because Saturday's opponent, Washington State, employs tight ends.

As for being a pass-rusher, Heun said, smiling, "I'm getting my L.T. on."

The Warriors do not expect Heun to come close to emulating former New York Giant great Lawrence "LT." Taylor. They would be satisfied if he helped fill the injury-caused shortage at defensive end.

Right end Fetaiagogo Fonoti has not practiced since suffering what he termed a "hyperextension" of his left kneecap more than a week ago. Fonoti is expected to make the two-game trip. The Warriors practice this morning at their grass field, and depart this afternoon for Seattle.

Left end Elliott Purcell suffered a deep contusion of his left quadriceps against Central Arkansas. He hopes to resume practicing today.

Backup defensive end Victor Clore is awaiting clearance after suffering a concussion.

"We're light at d-end," McMackin said.

McMackin said Liko Satele will start at right end and Heun will open at left end. Montgomery and Maracle will enter the playing rotation.

Montgomery is a fifth-year senior. He was raised mostly in Colorado. He is a graduate of Kealakehe High in Kailua, Kona.

Montgomery played two seasons at Weber State before moving back to Hawai'i in 2007. He sat out that season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. But because several of his Weber State credits were not accepted by UH, he had to attend Maui Community College for a semester.

Montgomery made three road trips last year as a special teams player. He participated in spring practice, but was not invited to the 2 1/2-week training camp.

"It was out of my control," said Montgomery, who was invited to join the Warriors Aug. 24, the first day of fall semester, when rosters were allowed to expand. "I figured I'd come in with the best possible attitude and work hard."

Montgomery drew attention when he portrayed Central Arkansas defensive end Larry Hart in practices. That scout-team work, as well as his play on special teams, earned him a shot in the rotation.

"I've been trying to do anything I can to impress the coaches," Montgomery said. "I don't have as much experience as the other seniors on defense. But I think if I just hustle and work hard, I'll be fine."

Maracle, a walk-on from San Diego, also is an unlikely contender.

He was on football scholarship at Colorado State in 2005. He transferred to San Diego Mesa Community College. His first season was cut short because of a broken ankle. Last season, he played middle linebacker.

UH assistant coach Dave Aranda asked Maracle to join as an invited walk-on. "He's got good size (6-4, 240) and good talent," McMackin said.

Maracle said his parents lived in Hawai'i for a few years.

"There are worse places to live," he said, smiling.

Maracle, whose eligibility runs through the 2010 season, said he will seek to extend his career by applying for a medical hardship.

Maracle said he is enjoying Hawai'i, even if people, including the coaches, mispronounce his last name.

"People always call me Miracle," he said, laughing.