By Jason Kaneshiro

Ryan Mouton is getting some attention as the April 25-26 NFL Draft approaches. He’s ranked among the top 10 cornerbacks in the draft in an article by sportingnews.com’s Russ Lande. Here’s Lande’s assessment:  ”10. Ryan Mouton, Hawaii (5-9, 187)Mouton is not a well known prospect by the media, but NFL personnel men have started to move him up draft boards this spring. He is an athletic cornerback with the foot quickness and explosiveness to close on passes in a flash, and he has the ball skills to break up passes. He also is a competitive player who flies upfield to deliver violent tackles. He should be a nickel cornerback as a rookie and a starter in time.” Mouton was putting a strong performance together at the NFL combine before he hurt his hamstring running the 40. He was still credited with a 4.48, tied for the third best time among cornerbacks. His agent, Kenny Zuckerman, said he’ll be ready to run at UH’s Pro Day on Thursday in Carson, Calif. David Veikune, who ran a 4.87 at the combine, also plans to run again at Pro Day.

By Jason Kaneshiro

The first day of spring practice is in the books. A few highlights of an afternoon devoted to position drills and fundamentals:

>> After warmups, the entire team spent the first period of practice working on form tackling. Wednesday’s emphasis will be on shedding blocks, with turnover drills on the agenda for Saturday.

>> The quarterbacks appeared on target for the most part with Greg Alexander leading the rotation. Five-foot-eight slotback Dustin Blount made a nice leaping catch over the middle during drills.

“Now I know the offense. I’m looking at the right things, things are slowing down and I know where I want the ball to go,” he said.

>> The offensive and defensive lines got some one-on-one work, though without much contact, focusing primarily on their first step off the line.

>> Seeing some players in new numbers will take some getting used to, Leon Wright-Jackson in 23, for example. Inoke Funaki, listed as No. 2 on the spring roster, wore No. 20, switching with slotback Jon Medeiros. Jake Heun, a redshirt running back last year, is now wearing a green No. 5 and worked with the defensive ends.

>> Head coach Greg McMackin said Wednesday’s practice will be more individual and position drills. He said they’ll put the pads on for Saturday morning’s practice, which will include 7-on-7 and team periods.

 >> The first units today:

Offense—WRs Greg Salas, Malcolm Lane; SBs Kealoha Pilares, Jon Medeiros; QB Greg Alexander; RB Leon Wright-Jackson; OL (from left) Aaron Kia, Ray Hisatake, John Estes, Raphael Ieru, Laupepa Letuli.

Defense—DL John Fonoti, Vaughn Meatoga, Rocky Savaiigaea, Elliott Purcell; LBs R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane, Brashton Satele, Viliami Nauahi; DBs Jeramy Bryant, Chris Black, Spencer Smith, Mana Silva.

By Cindy Luis

BYU def. UCLA, 29-31, 34-32, 30-28, 30-25

Pepperdine def. Long Beach State, 30-22, 25-30, 31-29, 30-28

CSU Northridge def, Pacific, 30-19, 30-20, 30-27

Stanford def. UC Santa Barbara, 30-24, 30-19, 23-30, 30-24

USC def. UC San Diego, 30-25, 30-26, 30-27

By Cindy Luis

In Provo, UCLA def.  BYU 30-27, 30-27, 28-30, 30-25 UCI def. Hawaii, 30-19, 30-24, 32-30 Stanford def. CSU Northridge, 30-27, 34-32, 30-32, 30-22 UC Santa Barbara def. Pacific, 30-26, 30-22, 30-25 

By Jason Kaneshiro

To clarify, UH’s Junior Day on April 25 doesn’t count toward a recruit’s five official visits they can take as a senior. They are allowed a campus visit as a junior and those participating will pay for their own lunch. It’s a chance for the high schoolers to take an inside look at the program and for the coaches to connect with some of the state’s prospects.

By Cindy Luis

Anteaters win 30-17, and it wasn’t that close. 8 of UH’s points were on UCI service errors. UCI also had 6 aces. Revolving door on the outside for the Warriors. Clar started, Carney came in. Walker started, Tuaniga came in. Strotman also got in late.  UCI wins Set 2 30-25. Hawaii was close most of the way, led early. Stellare had 2 straight aces to had UCI pulling away form 22-21 to 27-21. UCI has 7 blockes to UH’s 2.   UCI wins Set 3 30-26. Hawaii trailed 6-0 and 21-11 but rallied to 28-25.Carney with 11 kills. Wilson with 15 for UCI.  

By Jason Kaneshiro

UH released its spring football prospectus today with a tentative depth chart.

OFFENSE

X (receiver): Greg Salas, Joe Avery or Rodney Bradley.

H (slot): Jon Medeiros, Ryan Henry.

LT: Aaron Kia, Clayton Laurel or Brett Leonard.

LG: Ray Hisatake or Matagisila Lefiti, Austin Hansesn.

C: John Estes, Lefiti or Bronson Tiwanak.

RG: Brysen Ginlack or Raphael Ieru, Drew Uperesa.

RT: Laupepa Letuli, Adrian Thomas.

Y (slot): Kealoha Pilares, Dustin Blount.

Z (receiver): Malcolm Lane or Royce Pollard, Jovonte Taylor.

QB: Greg Alexander, Brent Rausch, Shane Austin.

RB: Leon Wright-Jackson, Inoke Funaki. Jayson Rego.

DEFENSE

LE: Elliott Purcell or Victor Clore.

LT: Tuika Tufaga or Rocky Savaiigaea.

RT: Vaughn Meatoga, David Hafoka.

RE: John Fonoti, Alasi Toilolo.

STUB: Blaze Soares, Paipai Falemalu.

MAC: Brashton Satele, Mana Lolotai.

BUCK: R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane, Po‘okela Ahmad.

CB: Chris Black, Melvin Hopkins.

SAM: Mana Silva, Kenny Estes.

FS: Spencer Smith, Lametrius Davis.

CB: Jeramy Bryant, Lewis Walker.

SPECIAL TEAMS

P: Smith, K. Estes.

PK: Brett Symonds

SNP: Chad Preacher, Andrew Faaumu.

HLD: Funaki, Austin.

KOR: Lane, Taylor, Blount.

PR: Henry, Pilares.

Notes: 

>> The Warriors are carrying 114 players on the spring roster.

>> Freshman punter Alex Dunnachie is expected to join the team in the fall.

>> Davis, a JC transfer, could get a look at cornerback and safety.

>> Running back Daniel Libre and receiver Nathaniel Nasca, both seniors last year, are appealing for another year of eligibility and remain on the roster.

By Jason Kaneshiro

UH will host the second annual Warrior Football Coaching Clinic on April 18. The clinic is open to all coaches. The fee is $15. Following is the schedule for the day. For more information, call 956-6508.Schedule of Events8-9:15 a.m.—Registration/Check-in                 9:15-9:30 a.m. — Head Coach Greg McMackin, “Welcome”9:30-10:25 a.m.—Coach Kale Ane, Punahou Head Coach, “Psychology of Coaching”10:25-10:30 a.m.—Break 10:30-11:20 a.m.—Coach Chris Tormey, UH, “Special Teams”11:20-12:10 p.m.—Coach Gordy Shaw, UH, Offensive Line Play12:10-12:15 p.m.—Break12:15-12:45 p.m.—Tony Tuioti, UH, “College Bound Gameplan” 12:45-1:30 p.m.—Lunch1:30-2:00 p.m.—Offensive Staff Breakout (Ching Field), Defensive Staff Breakout (meeting rooms)2:00-2:30 p.m.—Offensive Staff Breakout (meeting rooms), Defensive Staff Breakout (Ching Field)3:00 p.m.—UH Football Practice5:00-7:00 p.m.—Pupus and Refreshments

By Cindy Luis

After a slow start, Hawaii comes back to win Set 1 30-23. Warriors trailed 9-5. Cervantes out in street clothes, Mike China playing libero.  Walker 4-1-12, Grgas 3-1-4, Lofy 3-0-5. a bit surprised UH isn’t exploiting the middle more but the passing hasn’t been great.  Same story in Set 2, with Hawaii eventually pulling away to a 30-19 win. Walker 8-2-19, Dyer 10-4-18, Carney 8-4-16.  

By Cindy Luis

Hawaii wins Set 1 30-19. Led by as much as 22-9. UH 19-5-34, NJT finally got out of negative 8-8-33 .000 Carney 5-0-6, Walker 6-2-12. Strotman making his second start. Kahuku High grad Charles Bell 3-2-11   Hawaii making unforced errors in Set 2 and NJIT has steadied it out. Highlanders lead Set 2 11-9. Timeout UH.  Warriors up 20-16. timeout NJIT. Walker with 10.   Warriors with 2 straight blocks, lead 24-17. Timeout NJIT Hawaii wins Set 2 30-22. Walker 11-3-24, Grgas 6-0-6, Carney 6-1-13