Fractured foot ends spring ball for Yap

The Hawaii football team’s best all-around defensive lineman — end Beau Yap — will miss at least the rest of spring training after suffering a fracture in his right foot, coach Norm Chow confirmed on Wednesday.

Yap injured his foot during practice last week. He had surgery earlier this week.

The Warriors are on hiatus until Monday during the school’s spring break. They have 13 practices remaining.

There is no timetable for Yap’s full recovery. It is the coaches’ hope Yap will be ready for the start of training camp in August.

"He’d better be or we’ll be in some serious trouble," defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said.

Yap is considered the Warriors’ best perimeter pass rusher. He is a natural defensive end, although he was an injury replacement at nose tackle and defensive tackle last season.

Yap is a 2010 Kamehameha Schools graduate who will be a fourth-year junior in the fall. He was the state’s co-defensive player of the year in 2009.

Yap’s injury further depletes the defensive line, with only end Tavita Woodard as a healthy returning starter.

Defensive tackles Moses Samia, Siasau Matagiese and Calen Friel are restricted from contract drills while recovering from injuries.

Defensive end Iuta Tepa, a transfer from UCLA, recently had back surgery. Hunter Thomson is recovering from an infection.

Craig Cofer, a part-time starter at tight end in 2012, has moved back to defensive end. Linebackers George Daily-Lyles and Penitito Faalologo also will switch to end.

There is a possibility that strong-side linebacker TJ Taimatuia might be used as a stand-up lineman. In some UH schemes, the strong-side linebacker often aligns near the line of scrimmage.

"We’re going to have to manufacture some things," Kaumeyer said, noting the Warriors might practice more schemes involving three-man fronts.

The Warriors signed some defensive players who also can be used on the line. Most join this summer, including Elijah Tupa‘i, who has been subject to a tug-of-war between offensive and defensive coaches.

"Negotiations are going on at this time," Kaumeyer said, smiling.