University of Hawaii quarterback Max Wittek is paying his dues.

Since transferring from USC in August, Wittek has paid $14,760 in UH tuition and fees. That amount does not include food, books and living expenses.

"I’m fortunate enough my dad could take care of that for me," said Wittek, whose UH football scholarship activates this summer.

Wittek also paid his travel costs to attend six road games in 2014 while redshirting in accordance with NCAA transfer rules.

"It was a good thing to be there (on the road) and see how things are done instead of just being shocked," Wittek said following Tuesday’s practice, the sixth of 15 this spring training. "I wanted the guys to know I wanted to be part of this thing."

Wittek also has made the commitment in the weight room and during the eight-week offseason conditioning program. Wittek, who is 6 feet 4, said he lost 16 pounds over the past four months and now weighs 232.

"Really, it was just eating right," Wittek said. "I changed my diet. (The weight) just kind of fell off. I gave up potato chips. That was my guilty pleasure."

Strength/conditioning coordinator Gary Beemer said Wittek was training with the redshirts last season. "The name of the game for (redshirts) is bigger and stronger," Beemer said. "He was on that train for a little bit. We got him back with the quarterbacks this offseason, and it was about speed, leanness and strength workouts."

This week, Wittek has taken the most reps among the three quarterbacks in 7-on-7, team and red-zone drills. The order is this: Wittek, Ikaika Woolsey, Wittek again and Beau Reilly. Head coach Norm Chow has not named a starting quarterback, a decision that might not be announced until training camp in August.

For now, Wittek, who was the scout quarterback in practices last year, said: "I love being out here. Just being on the field, taking real reps with the team again, is just great."

Following the 2013 season, Wittek requested — and received — a release from his USC football scholarship. Texas, Louisville and Hawaii showed the most interest. Wittek was not able to earn a bachelor’s degree in May 2014, the end of his third full academic year, an achievement that would have allowed him to transfer and play in 2014 without redshirting.

Wittek said he chose UH because of a long association with Chow.

"I’ve had a relationship with him since I was a little guy in high school," Wittek said. "He was at UCLA at the time, and I was at Mater Dei (High School). He recruited me. I remember going on unofficial visits there, a couple basketball games here and there, just always sitting down and talking with him. He became somebody I could trust. He gave me some good advice. I wanted to be around somebody I could trust."

Wittek said his transfer to UH was delayed while the school evaluated his transcripts. UH accepted most of Wittek’s core credits from USC. But he was required to enroll in Hawaiian classes at UH. He agreed enthusiastically.

"You’re in Hawaii," he said. "Why not?"

UH offensive coordinator Don Bailey, who ran Idaho State’s offense last year, has implemented a system that expands on the Warriors’ pro-set offense.

"It’s not tremendously similar to everything I’ve done," Wittek said. "I like the pace. I like the concepts we run. Coach Bailey has done a good job. It’s new to all of us. We’re kind of getting saturated full of a lot of information."

In the first five practices, the defense, which played a lot of pressure tactics, was able to force numerous turnovers. The offensive coaches remained calm, figuring it was part of the learning process. On Tuesday, the offense had its most productive outing during situational drills.

"It was one of our better days," Wittek said. "We’re really putting it all together. We look forward to getting better and better each day."

Woolsey also has improved his game. He admitted that he tried to be too fine in reading defenses last year, leading to "holding the ball too long. … Sometimes I felt I was a little robotic going through my reads," he said. Woolsey has worked on adjusting his launch point when he is forced to move when the pocket deteriorates.

He also is healthy after playing 2014 with various injuries.

"This is football," Woolsey said. "Everybody plays through injuries. I wasn’t going to die from my injuries. It was painful, but I got through it, just like my teammates got through (their injuries)."