The first day of the University of Hawaii’s fall semester also marked the start of the football team’s open-enrollment period.
The NCAA limits each FBS team to an active roster of 105 players. The restriction is eliminated on the first day of school.
There were 99 Rainbow Warriors in training camp. Three scholarship players — wide receivers Billy Ray Stutzmann and Cecil Doe and tight end Josh Long — were added to the active roster on Monday. Stutzmann and Long have recovered from concussions.
Transfers Quinton Pedroza (Utah) and Jeremy Castro (UCLA) were officially placed on scholarship on Monday, boosting the UH roster to 104.
Chow said he wants to cap the roster at 110 because of locker limitations. (The UH locker room is undergoing a renovation.) The coaches have not finalized which walk-ons will be added to the roster.
Lefotu works his way back into a starting role
Dave Lefotu, a fourth-year junior, started 11 of 12 games at right guard last year. In the first week of training camp, he noticed his name was not listed on the top line of the depth chart.
Instead of having a fit, Lefotu got fitter. With prodding from strength coach Gary Beemer, Lefotu continued to lose weight and gain flexibility. He dropped 15 pounds, and now weighs 290. He said persistent stretching has helped his agility. His mobility also improved; Lefotu is the No. 1 right guard again.
“I always had a positive attitude in this camp,” Lefotu said. “Whatever decision (line coach Chris Naeole) made, I stuck with it and kept working hard. Even when I wasn’t starting, I stuck with it and didn’t have a negative attitude.”
He also picked up two new skills. He is used as a perimeter blocker and backup center.
“I love snapping,” Lefotu said.
Warriors have plans for Poueu-Luna
Pop quiz: Of the UH players available for Thursday’s opener, who rushed for the most yards in 2012?
Time’s up.
The answer is Bubba Poueu-Luna, who gained 36 yards — all on a run off a fake punt.
Poueu-Luna is easily overlooked after bouncing among offense, defense and physical therapy since joining the Rainbow Warriors in 2010.
Poueu-Luna, who switched from safety in the offseason, was an afterthought at receiver when the newcomers arrived. But Chow said he is impressed with Poueu-Luna’s diligence, and that a role has been crafted for the fourth-year junior.
Poueu-Luna said he feels more comfortable on offense.
He also welcomes each practice.
“I’ve been working my butt off each rep,” Poueu-Luna said. “I make sure I don’t slack off in any of them. I figure it would be dumb to waste a rep. I might as well get better on each one.”
