Hawaii football player Jared Leaf has had good practices and not-so-good practices this training camp, but what matters is that he is able to practice at all.

"I thought I was finished," said Leaf, who has emerged as one of the Warriors’ top fullbacks.

It was in early April when Leaf began suffering from fevers, diarrhea and dehydration. The symptoms persisted for weeks, forcing him to miss most of spring training. He was diagnosed with colitis, which is inflammation of the colon.

Leaf lost more than 25 pounds by the end of the spring semester. He said medication was not helpful.

He decided to go to his family home in California. Head coach Norm Chow did not know if Leaf would return.

Leaf was told his condition was genetic and likely stress induced.

"I had to step back, go home and lay low for a little while," Leaf said. "After a week, I didn’t have any symptoms. I started putting back on weight."

Kirsten Hall put her son on a steady diet of hamburger pie.

"You put the hamburger on the bottom, then you put on some green beans and some corn," Leaf said. "Then you put some mashed potatoes and cheese over the top, then you bake it. It’s the best meal you can ask for."

Leaf gained back the weight. When he returned to Hawaii in July, he weighed 236 pounds. He now is 239. He hopes to add a few more pounds by the end of training camp.

Leaf signed with UH in February 2011 with the intent of playing the lone back position in the Warriors’ four-wide offense. He redshirted last year.

In December, Chow replaced Greg McMackin as UH head coach, then replaced the passing attack with the pro-set offense. Chow said his offense will use a fullback between 15 and 18 times a game.

"It’s a versatile position," Leaf said. "It’s a physical position, but you can catch passes out of the backfield. I’m comfortable there. Last year, I was playing running back. It wasn’t a perfect fit. I think fullback helps me out a lot."

Leaf also has been told he will compete on special teams.

"After what happened (in the spring), I’m happy to do whatever they want me to do," Leaf said.