Warrior Beat

As part of his offseason program, running back Leon Wright-Jackson has been eating a lot of protein. His preference is steak — rare. Growing up in Washington, Wright-Jackson said he had friends whose families owned ranches. One week, he’d see the cows in the pasture, the next on his plate. Big things are expected of Wright-Jackson this season. It was difficult last season — his first full season after sitting out in 2006 after transferring from Nebraska. He was held […]

Jason found this story about the Houston Texans cutting receiver Ryan Grice-Mullins today: http://www.houstontexans.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=4373  * * * Since taking over as head coach, Greg McMackin has promoted a family atmosphere. This weekend, McMackin and his wife are taking the coaches and their families on a retreat on Oahu’s West side. The getaway will help promote unity among the coaches. Among the highlights is a baby shower for associate head coach Rich Miano and his wife Lori, who is expecting the […]

Cornerback/kick returner Keenan “The Phenom” Jones is no longer a member of the UH football team. * * * Defensive end Francis Maka has an excellent argument for a sixth season of eligibility. He suffered a knee injury that prevented him from playing as an Arizona freshman in 2003 and then again in 2004. He then was at College of San Mateo for two years and UH for a season. While Maka and the compliance office are working exceptionally hard […]

Quarterback Inoke Funaki said he was born in Hawai‘i. He said he was raised in Hawai‘i. And that is why, he said, he is observing Kamehameha Day today. And although the usual unsupervised workouts will not be conducted today, the Warriors still will keep in shape. They’re going to play basketball today. Here’s Funaki, who is serving as a coach-player during the summer, throwing a pass during yesterday’s workouts: * * * The other co-No. 1 quarterback, Tyler Graunke, also […]

Cornerback Kawika Ornellas, a recent Mililani High graduate, has played well during unsupervised workouts. Ornellas , who is 5 feet 10 and 170 pounds, has been clocked running 40 yards in 4.42 seconds. He is the OIA champion in the 100- and 200-meter sprints. He finished fourth in both races at the state meet. Ornellas is joining the Warriors as a walk-on. He is on the 105-player, training-camp roster. Ornellas lines up against wideout Royce Pollard: * * * Ryan […]

The Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League have inquired about the availability of former UH safety Jake Patek. Patek said he is working out and attending Summer Session I. If he does not play in Canada, he would attend school in the fall, and serve as a volunteer with the Warriors. Here’s Patek slamming Steve Wichman: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rlf5mXkXUlw * * * Linebacker Brad Kalilimoku, who completed his UH eligibility at the end of the Sugar Bowl, could have continued to […]

While Greg Alexander and Brent Rausch have been impressive as expected, another newcomer quarterback, Steele Jantz, also has drawn raves from teammates. Now, if the coaches believe Jantz is better than any quarterback in the 2009 class, he might earn a beigeshirt offer. What’s that? The way a beige shirt would work is Jantz, who is a freshman already enrolled in Summer Session I, would be on the active roster this fall, presumably as a redshirt. In January, he then […]

One of the most impressive players in offseason workouts is Brashton Satele, who not only is healthy — knock on wood — but has been a beast in the weight room. He also is becoming more of a leader. Satele’s development means UH is going to carry only three middle linebackers this season — Solomon Elimiman, Satele and Mana Lolotai. * * * So I had a nice chat with David Veikune. We talked about his workouts, his plans this […]