Hawaii coach Todd Graham happy with Rainbow Warriors’ energy at first practice

Second verse, better than the first.

Todd Graham’s second training camp as University of Hawaii head coach opened Friday with an animated two-hour practice set to a rat-a-tat pace.

“I liked the energy,” Graham said of the practice on UH’s grass field. “I liked the tempo on the field. There was nothing today I didn’t like other than the mental mistakes, which obviously you’re going to have.”

In 2020, the pandemic led to the cancellation of the offseason conditioning program and spring training, and the abbreviation of the twice-delayed training camp. This year, the Rainbow Warriors had a full strength/conditioning program and all 15 spring practices. While the team has yet to gather fully for meals, the locker room is now available without restrictions to vaccinated players.

Graham said the players are physically fit, due in part to associate head coach Kody Cooke’s conditioning program, and are able to keep up with the accelerated tempo of the no-huddle offense and attacking defense.

“Lots of reps,” Graham said. “Pretty fast-paced. I’m really impressed with our guys.”

Graham said the new Warriors have been able to learn the schemes. He said many of the freshmen came from winning programs that played deep into the postseason. He also said newcomers often have their own trainers. Graham said the returning players have been helpful in guiding their new teammates.

‘Everybody knows where to sit,” Graham said. “Everybody knows how to operate. Everybody knows how to go on and off the field.”

Graham said he challenged his players to be “uncomfortable” in accepting greater responsibilities. “The key to our progression is our best players stepping out of their comfort zone,” Graham said. “You’ve got to have somebody to chase.”

Graham cited Calvin Turner, who led the Warriors with 11 touchdowns last year as a running back, receiver, wildcat quarterback and kickoff returner. This year, Turner will be the Warriors’ primary punt returner.

“Who is Calvin Turner chasing?” Graham said. “I tell him, ‘You’re chasing to be MVP of the league. You’re chasing to be undefeated champion of this league.’ Those guys set the standard. … Our best players have to come out there and serve. That means they have to work the hardest. … Whoever our best player is defines effort.”

On Friday, the Warriors were in “spiders” — light upper-body padding — and helmets. During 11-on-11 drills, the “tag mode” was imposed, meaning there would be no take-down hits. Landon Keopple, the director of operations, announced the down-and-distance situations during scrimmage-like sessions. When the defense forced a turnover, a snippet of “Another One Bites the Dust” blared.

Graham, who oversees special teams, faced a good-news, not-so-good-news scenario when a kick was blocked to end the first practice. “I like it on defense when you block a kick on the first day,” Graham said. “I don’t like it when you’ve got a kick blocked.”

But starting quarterback Chevan Cordeiro, a fourth-year sophomore, appeared sharp in directing the first-team offense. Cordeiro said he has spent more time in the weight room. The Warriors ran multiple offensive plays, all at a quick pace. Safety Eugene Ford, who missed the final seven games of 2020 because of an injury, was back directing the secondary.

“Nothing happened today I’m surprised about,” Graham said. “Our guys performed like I thought they would. You can run all you want. You can lift all you want. But getting in shape to play football is just different. The expectations were met today. It gives you a measuring tool.”

Graham said he will evaluate video of every play in practice. “That’ll be a measuring point, and we’ll go from there.”