New Warriors report to camp

The University of Hawaii football team partially opens training camp today with newcomers scheduled to report.

One of the more prominent newcomers — defensive Naim Mustafaa, a transfer from Oklahoma State — will have to wait for his official acceptance into UH before he is allowed to participate in training-camp activities.

Several scouting services bestowed a 4-star rating on Mustafaa, of Alpharetta (Ga.) High, who initially made an oral commitment to Georgia in the summer of 2012. He graduated high school a semester early, then enrolled at Oklahoma State in the spring and participated in the conditioning program and the Cowboys’ spring training.

Mustafaa requested — and received — a release from his OSU scholarship last month. Mustafaa then contacted UH, saying he wanted to be part of the Rainbow Warriors’ rebuilding. Mustafaa and his grandmother arrived in Hawaii on Saturday, paying their own way. On Monday, he told the Star-Advertiser he accepted the Warriors’ offer. He said he cannot comment further on his decision until he is accepted into UH.

Unless he receives a waiver from the NCAA, he will redshirt this season in accordance with transfer rules. Either way, the Warriors are holding a spot for Mustafaa on their 104-player roster for training camp.

Chow said the roster remains "flexible." The players who were on the spring roster report on Thursday. The Warriors’ first practice is Friday.

The Warriors also are holding spots for long-snapper Brian Hittner, who is waiting for the NCAA to certify his eligibility, and slotback Levi Wilson, who is completing work on his associate’s degree at College of San Mateo. Wilson has been accepted into UH but needs his AA to meet the NCAA requirements for playing this season.

The Warriors already have addressed several needs with summer additions. Running back Willis Wilson, who transferred from Washington, will be part of the rotation at running back. Freshman running backs Diocemy Saint Juste, Aofaga Wily, Max Broman and Steven Lakalaka (who redshirted last year) are part of the competition. The No. 1 back, Joey Iosefa, is recovering from a fracture in his left foot.

Adonis Phillips, a UH student who played prep football in South Carolina, has been added as the scout quarterback. Justin Alo, who was projected to run the scout offense, transferred to Mount San Antonio College.

Defensive lineman Haani Tulimaiau also has been added to the roster. Tulimaiau is a Leilehua High graduate who recently returned from a two-year church mission.

Because of the escalated cost of dormitory-room rentals and cleaning fees, the Warriors will spend the first two weeks of training camp in the dance studios on the second floor of the athletic complex. The Warriors have hired security and a cleaning service.

After that, they will spend six days at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.