Spring Day 4 Wrap-Ups

Stephen Tsai profiles Amani Purcell, who's poised for a big season at defensive end.

In the 3-4, the defensive end is essentially a defensive tackle. Purcell's older brother, Melila Purcell III, was pushed around so much as a 3-4 end that he gained more than 30 pounds for his senior season.

Believing the Warriors would remain in a 3-4 this coming season, Amani Purcell planned to follow his brother's path.

"I gained about 25, 30 pounds," he said. "I knew I had to get bigger to play as an end (in the 3-4). I was eating a lot of Polynesian and Samoan food — corned beef, taro, chicken."

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Then Purcell learned the Warriors would switch to a 4-3 for spring practice. In that formation, the defensive end sets up in a three-point stance and serves primarily as a pass-rusher. It also meant Purcell had to make a U-turn on a diet designed to increase his weight.

"I was excited, but at the same time I was bummed out because I gained all of this weight and now I had to lose it," Purcell said.

Here's hoping for an awesome senior season for Amani.

Tsai also has some additional notes from Day 4:

It appears a depth chart is forming on defense. Yesterday's first-team defenders were: left end Purcell, left tackle Keala Watson, right tackle Michael Lafaele, right end Karl Noa, weak-side linebacker Adam Leonard, middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian, strong-side linebacker Blaze Soares, left cornerback Gerard Lewis, left safety Jake Patek, right safety Kealoha Porlas and right cornerback Myron Newberry.

On offense, slotbacks Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins continued to work out as wideouts.

Cameron Allen-Jones, a converted offensive lineman, ran pass routes as a tight end/H-back.

Jason Kaneshiro has more on Cameron Allen-Jones' switch to H-back/tight end/wing back.

His natural ability has already impressed some of the veterans.

"Not too many big linemen can catch the way he can," junior receiver Davone Bess said. "He's got big, bear-claw hands."

"Coach thinks Cameron could be a really good candidate for that job and he's shown he's got some good hands and good ability," Brennan said.

"I think he shows a lot of potential and it's fun just to try something different."

In the same article, Kaneshiro mentions Colt Brennan practicing under center and Cal Lee coaching the linebackers.

Lee has a veteran group to work with as the linebacker unit returns largely intact. The first unit yesterday was led by Solomon Elimimian inside and Adam Leonard and Blaze Soares at the outside spots. Most of last season's reserves are also back in the mix.

"The thing is they're all good football players," Lee said.

"We didn't lose anyone to graduation so everybody comes back and if we just keep getting better from last year to this year, it makes us a better ballclub."

And to think, they're still juniors and sophomores.

In another article, Jason Kaneshiro writes about the veterans trying new things and the backups getting more reps.

With Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins diversifying their skills by working at the outside receiver spots this spring, some of the team's younger slotbacks have the opportunity to impress the coaches.

That means more reps for players such as juniors Michael Washington and Aaron Bain.

"It's a critical spring for Michael and Aaron," receivers coach Ron Lee said. "They have to step up and make plays, especially on (7-on-7) and elevens. It's game-tempo, that's when they have to step up their performance. We all have to get better if we're going to be a good football team."

Washington -- who made a leaping grab over the middle during yesterday's practice -- and Bain have backed up Bess and Grice-Mullins the last two years and caught 10 passes between them last season.

They led the rotation during seven-on-seven period yesterday, while Brennan, Bess and Grice-Mullins were called in for a few plays toward the end of the period.

"Everything feels good, the offense is basically in my head so it's a matter of me of ballin' out right now," Washington said. "The plays, reading defenses, that's all locked down."

Bess, RGM, Rivers, Tua Mahaley, Greg Salas, Washington, Bain, Malcolm Lane, Rick Taylor, Eric Shaffer, Mitch Farney, and on and on. Can't wait to see them all play.