Iosefa eager to impress Buccaneers

Before the newspaper lands on the driveway each day, former University of Hawaii running back Joey Iosefa is ready for business.

"I wake up at 5 every morning," Iosefa said.

Iosefa, who was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ seventh-round draft choice this year, is in Hawaii until the end of this month in advance of training camp.

He has attended a luau, hit the beach with former UH teammates Lance Williams and Marcus Langkilde, and feasted at Ono Seafood, Shokudo Japanese Restaurant and L&L Drive-Inn.

"Oh, man, we’re in Hawaii," Iosefa said, "sushi is everything."

But before anything else, Iosefa said, "I get my work done in the morning."

That means reporting to Chad Ikei, his longtime trainer. Ikei said Iosefa has insisted on maintaining a disciplined schedule.

"He’ll remain like that," Ikei said. "That’s who he is."

Agent Aaron Gordon said: "He’s pretty motivated. He really wants to take the fullback position. He’s busting his butt. It’s good he has a trainer in Chad Ikei to keep him accountable. Chad does a great job."

Iosefa and his wife are expecting their second child this fall.

"He’s not one of those guys who’s going to come back (to Hawaii) and get out of shape," Gordon said. "He has a job to win. He has a family to provide for. He’s not taking it lightly."

During mini-camp, Iosefa aligned as a fullback, slotback and wideout. He said his placement depends on the formation. In whatever situation, 6-foot Iosefa is regarded as a power back. He has been told to report between 248 and 255 pounds.

"He’s definitely going in as a power back," Gordon said. "That’s what he does. He’s not afraid to be physical."

At the NFL combine in February, Iosefa led all running backs in the bench press with 30 reps of 225 pounds. He said his current workouts emphasize cardio and "explosive kind of stuff."

"We’re doing a lot of conditioning," Ikei said. "We’re just trying to get him ready for camp."

During the organized team activities and mini-camps, the Buccaneer rookies visited the MacDill Air Force Base, volunteered at youth camps, learned to prepare healthful meals at the Art Institute’s culinary school. Iosefa was teamed with quarterback Jameis Winston, the NFL’s top overall draft pick, during the cooking competition.

"He’s funny," Iosefa said of Winston. "He’s a good guy."

Iosefa said he is living his childhood dream.

"I don’t want to take things easily," he said. "I believe in myself and I believe in my work ethic. I hope my passion for the game will take me further."