During football training camp, University of Hawaii safety Taz Stevenson earned a starting job.
On Monday, he earned a football scholarship.
"He’s very deserving," coach Norm Chow said. "He’ll start at safety for us on Saturday. We put him on scholarship."
Stevenson is a 2010 Mililani High graduate who was a member of the Washington football team for four years. UH opens against Washington this Saturday at Aloha Stadium.
Stevenson earned a bachelor’s degree and was accepted into a UH graduate program. Those were the two main criteria for an exemption allowing him to play this season. In most cases, a player must redshirt for a season after transferring.
Chow said Stevenson has been a model player.
"This is very important to him," Chow said.
Chow added: "He’s mature. He understands, and he tries to help the young ones. He’s a joy to be around."
Ex-USC QB Wittek is all set to practice
Former USC quarterback Max Wittek participated in orientation procedures on Monday.
Chow said Wittek will participate in this morning’s practice.
Unlike Stevenson, Wittek did not complete his USC degree, in three years, before transferring. He must redshirt this season. The 2015 season is his only remaining year of NCAA eligibility.
Injured Haynes goes through walk-through
Wideout Vasquez Haynes, who underwent surgery for a season-ending shoulder injury, attended Monday’s 75-minute walk-through session.
Haynes will not play this season.
Rainbow Warriors healthy for Saturday’s game
The Warriors are relatively healthy ahead of Saturday’s opener.
Offensive lineman RJ Hollis and tight end David Manoa did not participate in Monday’s workout.
Hollis was recovering from a painful dental procedure. Two wisdom teeth, which had grown crookedly, were extracted.
"They told me they had to break them into chunks and dig them out," Chow said, grimacing.
Manoa is recovering from a subluxed knee.
Chow gives newcomers classroom assignments
After the walk-through session, Chow met with the newcomers.
"I wanted them to understand their roles," Chow said, adding he was available for one-on-one consultation.
Chow also stressed two rules for his players: 1) They cannot miss any class, and 2) they must sit in the first five rows for classes held in lecture halls.
Freshmen Josey, Patterson still on team’s radar
Despite the creation of a two-deep chart, freshman receivers Darrian Josey and Don’Yeh Patterson remain in the mix.
Josey is a candidate for kickoff returns.
Patterson has been practicing as the Z receiver on the formation’s strong side.
"They’re still part of the group," Chow said.