New routes, new roles

When Chinedu Amadi signed on with the University of Hawaii football program, he envisioned running routes as a slot receiver in the Warriors’ four-receiver offense.

With a coaching change and the subsequent shift in offensive philosophy, the UH freshman is getting used to running the ball out of the backfield, instead.

Amadi’s new role is just part of the Warriors’ conversion from the run-and-shoot to the pro-style offense being implemented by first-year head coach Norm Chow and offensive coordinator Tommy Lee in spring practice.

In operating the run-and-shoot since 1999, the Warriors annually stockpiled receivers to fill the depth chart at four spots. The new offense features two running backs and a tight end on most plays, so even though a slot receiver will be a regular part of the package, the system will heighten the competition for playing time as the receivers learn their new routes and responsibilities.

"I’ve been studying the playbook every night since we got it," said junior Billy Ray Stutzmann, UH’s leading returning receiver. "I’ve been in there looking up where to be in the formations, the routes we’re supposed to run. It’s taken a lot of work, but it’s becoming easier every day.

"With every formation, we’re going to be moving around — left, right, slot — there’s a lot of motions, and just a lot of new things to learn this year."

Given the Warriors’ holdover depth at receiver, a few members of last year’s group accepted position changes entering spring practice. Darius Bright moved to tight end, while Amadi and fellow redshirt freshman Samson Anguay — both recruited as slot receivers — joined a growing group of running backs.

"It was a little tough going from the run-and-shoot going to the pro (style)," said Amadi, who played both running back and receiver in high school. "What I came here for didn’t work out … but I like running back, so it’s all good."

The Warriors began putting their study into practice in three on-field sessions last week. They’ll take spring break off and return to practice April 3.

So far, Lee said the coaches have been pleased with how much the receivers have picked up over three practices, even if the execution has been understandably ragged at times.

"That’s what spring ball is about, and when you have a new program, a new offense, it’s a learning process that doesn’t happen overnight," Lee said.

"We’re throwing a lot at them and that’s Coach Chow’s philosophy — throw it at them, we’re going to have mistakes, but the better ones will pick it up and they’ll come to the top."

Lee said Stutzmann, who caught a team-high 78 passes for 910 yards last season, has been consistent in practice. The Warriors also return sophomore Trevor Davis, who started the final six games of 2011. Lee also has seen promise in senior Chris Gant on the outside and junior Corey Paclebar and sophomore Scott Harding in the slot.

Senior Miah Ostrowski is playing a bit of catch-up following basketball season, and a knee issue will likely keep junior Justin Clapp, who emerged as a versatile and reliable receiver last year, from going full speed this spring.

As the receivers learn the new terminology, as well as the multiple personnel groupings and their accompanying alignments, Lee said their background in the run-and-shoot does have some crossover value.

"They know defenses, they know how to read them, they know how they have to run a particular route," Lee said. "There’s some similarities. Concepts are concepts and we just do it different ways."