University of Hawaii wideout Vasquez Haynes was scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery in Houston on Monday.
UH head coach Norm Chow said he did not know the timetable for Haynes’ return. The Warriors’ training camp opened on Monday. UH’s fall semester begins Aug. 25.
Haynes’ name was removed from the Warriors’ 105-player roster for training camp, a list that was distributed to reporters on Monday afternoon.
Haynes attended Blinn College before transferring to UH in July 2013. Last season, he played in 11 of 12 games, with 29 receptions for 354 yards and three touchdowns. He has two years of UH eligibility remaining.
Last week, it was confirmed that wideout Keith Kirkwood requested — and received — a release from his football scholarship. Kirkwood told coaches he wanted to be near his family in New Jersey.
Pedroza steps outside
In Haynes’ absence, Quinton Pedroza was the Z receiver with the Warriors’ first-team offense on Monday.
Pedroza, who redshirted last year after transferring from Utah, was expected to compete at slotback.
"We had some wide receiver changes," Pedroza said, "and we made some decisions, and they wanted me to go outside. I took it like that."
Receivers coach Luke Matthews said Pedroza was an easy choice.
"He definitely brings experience," Matthews said. "He knows the inside position, so you can move him outside and kind of improve his knowledge of the playbook."
Pedroza often was used at wideout in high school and at Utah. In 2011, Pedroza and Matthews were Utah receivers who roomed together on road trips. UH quarterbacks coach Jordan Wynn was the Utes’ quarterback that year. Chow was the Utes’ offensive coordinator.
Chow said Pedroza "is one of our best (receivers). We want our best guys on the field."
In the Warriors’ three-receiver set, Scott Harding was at slotback and Marcus Kemp was the X receiver.
"We’ve had some guys who moved around," Matthews said. "We’ve had guys who’ve left, some who are injured. It’s always a new opportunity with the new guys coming in."
Defense pleases Clune
Kevin Clune, the Warriors’ first-year defensive coordinator, said he was pleased with the first practice.
"For day one, it went great," Clune said. "It still doesn’t mean anything until the pads come on. But the hustle was pretty good for the first day. We have to continue to take steps forward until (the opener on) Aug. 30."
Of the newcomers, Clune was "encouraged" by safeties Daniel Lewis and Taz Stevenson, and linebackers Simon Poti and Malachi Mageo. Stevenson is a Washington graduate who recently transferred to UH.
The Warriors implemented a 3-4 base defense this spring.
"For the first day, I was happily surprised," Clune said. "It wasn’t perfect. It really depends on what day two will be like. Are we going to take a step forward again or are we going to to stay the same or are we going to get worse?"