Warrior Beat

 From agent Kenny Zuckerman: David Veikune and Ryan Mouton have been officially invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in February.  They are presently training at Athletes’ Performance Institute (API) in Los Angeles and will both be leaving for the East-West Shrine All-Star game in Houston next week.  Have a good day, Kenny.  * * * There apparently is a chain of command in the athletic deparment. Because AD Jim Donovan is recovering from a procedure to remove a […]

 Folsom (Calif.) High’s David Graves, who had the nation’s highest passing-efficiency rating, has accepted a football scholarship from the University of Hawai‘i. Graves, who completed 72 percent of his passes and threw for 40 touchdowns, said he chose UH because of the offense, the coaches and “Hawai‘i’s music. I love the music of the islands. I love the bending guitars and the real soothing voices.” Not only is Graves an accomplished football player — he was named the Sacramento Bee’s […]

In a race against the clock, defensive tackle Jesse Williams is hoping to gain admission into UH-Manoa for the spring semester, which begins Jan. 12. Because he is a graduate of a school in Australia, there are issues whether some of his classes meet UH’s admission standards. The Warriors probably should consult with softball head coach Bob Coolen, who has signed several players from Australia in the past. * * * Bryce Kalauokaaea, who did not play last season after […]

Random thoughts: • Word on the street is that Leo Goeas would like to relocate to Hawai‘i. Hmm. Anyone else see Goeas as a candidate for the vacant UH coaching job? He has history (Kamehameha, UH grad), knowledge (played in the NFL) and contacts (he is the agent for Samson Satele and Melila Purcell). Everybody likes Leo, and he can work well with others. He could help o-line coach Brian Smith, who has deep knowledge of the June Jones-Mouse Davis […]

Sorry for the delay in posting. I went to the opening of volleyball training camp, which last something like five practices before the opening of the 2009 season. No, you’re not looking at the front of a five-dollar bill. This is middle blocker Jarrod Lofy:

Was it really a year ago today we were in New Orleans, recovering from Hurricane-concoction-induced headaches and cursing the 14s we kept receiving from the Harrah’s blackjack dealers? * * * I remember during a Sugar Bowl pep rally when a coach’s wife said JJ told the staff he was taking the SMU job. And being the fine reporter that I am, saying, “No way. He’s not going anywhere.” Which means I’m worse at poker than at blackjack. * * […]

Well, that was an eventful year. No need to rehash it, since I’m sure every news organization will do that today and tomorrow. But here’s something that turned up. It’s a letter from the owner of a construction company to Na Koa, the UH football booster club. It was written during the summer: “I am pleased to make a donation in the amount of $1,000 to Na Koa Football Club in the name of Colt Brennan. Recently, Colt agreed to […]

The San Francisco 49ers recently made former UH offensive lineman Dane Uperesa an offer he could refuse. The 49ers wanted to sign Uperesa to their practice squad with the hope of adding him to the full offseason roster. But Uperesa politely — everything he does is respectful — turned down that offer. He also had turned down other offers from NFL teams. That’s because Uperesa, who spent the past two seasons on the Cincinnati Bengals’ and then Indianapolis Colts’ practice […]