After completing the second week of training camp, coach Norm Chow said his team is "right where we’re supposed to be" in development.
Chow lauded Ikaika Woolsey, who was named the Rainbow Warriors’ No. 1 quarterback earlier in the week.
"Ikaika has stepped up," Chow said. "He is really playing well. I’m really pleased with what he’s doing."
Woolsey is a third-year sophomore who started two games in 2013.
"I can’t be complacent and make mistakes," Woolsey said. "I have to be on my ‘A’ game no matter what. I have to work harder and fix my mistakes. We’re two weeks from playing Washington."
The Warriors’ opener is on Aug. 30 at Aloha Stadium.
The Warriors have used 14 of their allotted 29 practices in advance of the first game.
Chow said scrimmages this week should determine which players will remain in the rotation or be assigned to the scout teams.
Lefotu back in shape
Dave Lefotu, a fifth-year senior, has worked himself into shape — and, possibly, into the rotation on the offensive line.
Lefotu was heavier than expected when he reported to training camp. That earned Lefotu extra sessions with strength/ conditioning coordinator Gary Beemer.
"He helped me with my diet," Lefotu said. "He made sure I ate the proper portions and shed off the bad pounds."
During that training, Lefotu was kept out of many team drills. The past few days, he began getting reps. On Saturday, he practiced as the right guard on the first team.
"It feels great to be back on and contributing to the offense," Lefotu said. "It sucks being on the sideline. When I’m in there, I try to do my best and help the guys around me."
This summer, Lefotu and center Kody Afusia spent a week in California training under Jesse Sapolu, a former offensive lineman with UH and the San Francisco 49ers. Sapolu has four Super Bowl championship rings.
"It was an awesome experience to learn from a guy of that magnitude," Lefotu said. "I tried to pick his brain as much as I could."
Wa‘a moving around
Another day, another position for John Wa‘a.
Wa‘a, a second-year freshman, opened camp as the No. 1 right tackle. Because of injuries on the line, Wa‘a was used at right guard earlier this week. On Saturday, he was at left guard.
Wa‘a said he is most comfortable on the right side. "I’ll do whatever I have to do to help the team," he said.
For one practice, at least, that meant playing on the left side for the first time since he was a Kahuku lineman.
"Guys are getting chipped up," Chow said, noting offensive line coach Chris Naeole "does a nice job of setting things up until we can settle on five guys."