Tyler Graunke, who was expected to enter spring practice as the University of Hawai'i football team's No. 1 quarterback, has been suspended for breaking team-related rules.

While suspended, Graunke will not be allowed to participate in the Warriors' off-season conditioning program. He has been told he needs to meet certain conditions to be reinstated in time for the start of spring practice in late March.

UH head coach Greg McMackin could not be immediately reached for comment last night.

Graunke acknowledged the suspension, but insisted the matter can be resolved by the end of next week.

"When I heard 'suspended' it sounds a little extreme," Graunke said. "I have some things I have to take care of as far as school. There are a lot of academic issues."

Graunke, who will be a fifth-year senior in the fall, said he needs to change his major.

"I have to get the proposal approved," he said. "I'm going through the process. ... It's not going to have an effect on spring ball or my eligibility. There are things I need to take care of."

McMackin and Graunke met Wednesday afternoon.

Right before the first Super Games competition Wednesday, the team was told that Graunke would not be a participant in the off-season program. There are 10 teams in the Super Games composed of UH players, with each team earning — or losing — points based on academic and workout performances.

According to Graunke, McMackin "told me to take a break from football, take care of what I need to do, and I'll be back. It's not a punishment. It's not a law-and-order problem. It's something I have to deal with."

Graunke said he hopes "to be back" Monday. "It'll be a week at the most," he said.

Graunke was the top backup to 2007 Heisman Trophy finalist Colt Brennan, who completed his UH eligibility at the end of the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl.

Graunke, Inoke Funaki and Kiran Kepo'o, who was a redshirt last season, are the only scholarship quarterbacks on the current roster. On Wednesday, UH received signed commitments from two junior-college quarterbacks who will join the team this summer.

"I'm disappointed," Graunke said. "I see the team working out together. I'm still working out."

He added: "I remain committed to football. I have to take care of that other stuff. It's not going to be a problem."

See Tsai's blog at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.