Eli’s going in blind to new position for Warriors

University of Hawaii offensive lineman Asotui Eli lost weight and found a new football position.

On the opening practice of spring training, Eli was at left tackle. He had played center and guard in his first three UH seasons.

In giving Eli a look on the blind side, UH coach Nick Rolovich reasoned: “He’s smart. He’s lost some weight. He’s knowledgeable about what we’re trying to do. He’s athletic enough to do it. We know we can always kick him back inside. He’s smart enough to play any five (line) positions. (Left tackle) is where our hole is right now.”

Tackles Dejon Allen, Matt Norman and Chris Posa completed their UH eligibility at the end of the 2017 season. Fred Ulu-Perry said he received a medical retirement. Five offensive linemen will be joining the Warriors this summer.

The inside-to-outside move is not unique. Ben Clarke switched from center to left tackle for his final two UH seasons in 2014 and 2015. Allen started at left tackle the past two seasons after beginning his Warrior career at guard.

“I’m no Ben Clarke,” Eli said. “I’m no Dejon Allen. I’m Tui Eli, and I’ll do the best I can do.”

Eli, who is 6 feet 4, weighed about 315 pounds at the start of the 2017 season. Through a program of eating frequent small meals and limiting rice consumption to once a day, Eli now weighs 285. He also is adjusting to the footwork and hand placement required of a left tackle.

“Not having your hand on the ball, the set is a lot different,” Eli said of the switch from center.

Rolovich said: “I’m going to put a ball in his locker for him so he can sit there and hold it. It’s like a point guard.”

Torres takes up new home

In the transition from a hybrid offense to run-and-shoot, the tight end position was eliminated.

“I wasn’t sure what was going to happen,” said Dakota Torres, who was a part-time starter at tight end the past three seasons. “But I talked to Rolo about it, and he told me to learn slot.”

Now Torres, who is 6-2 and 240 pounds, is essentially a power slotback. “It’s a lot more running,” said Torres, who had earned a reputation as a physical blocker. “We’ll find a way to hit.”

Torres demonstrated sure hands and deceptive quickness during passing and team sessions.

“They told me I had to lose a little weight,” Torres said, patting his abs. “I had to bring out the six-pack again. I wasn’t planning on it. I was equipped with the ice over the six-pack.”

Okeke moves to free safety

Ikem Okeke is making progress going backward.

As an outside linebacker, he forced a momentum-changing fumble in the 2016 Hawaii Bowl. Last season, he played the safety-linebacker hybrid known as viper. This spring, Okeke is a free safety.

But in new defensive coordinator Corey Batoon’s system, safeties can move up to the tackle box, play in the gap, blitz or drop into coverage.

Okeke said he benefited from playing safety as a freshman and sophomore at Las Vegas’s Bishop Gorman High School. This offseason, he was told to learn safety and nickelback.

Okeke appeared to be comfortable during Wednesday’s drills.

“It was a good experience,” he said. “First day, you get used to things. Hopefully, it picks up later.”