Day 13 Updates, Ikaika, AP, Samson

Dave Reardon liveblogged today's morning practice. An excerpt:

10:36 a.m.: Jason Laumoli does a nice job of picking up Patek on a blitz and preventing a sack.

10:39 a.m.: Jim Donovan says he has never seen this much depth on defense for UH in 27 years … actually both sides.

10:41 a.m.: 11-on-11 pau. Leon Wright-Jackson did not participate. Does not have pads on.

Stephen Tsai has the deal on LWJ.

Leon Wright-Jackson was held out of this morning's practice while UH awaited his junior-college transcripts.
Those papers arrived. He is participated in the afternoon practice. He said everything is OK.

Great news for Leon. Oh, and what the heck? Just noticed that I'm scheduled to have my bio posted on the Warrior Beat on Tuesday. Errrr.

Here's a fan report from Isleboy. An excerpt:

Estes and Mariner rotated at center.....AhYoon is left tackle...Steinhoff is right tackle.....number of Olineman rotated at guard.....Eliminian, Leonard and Soares did not practice...

Tomorrow's practice will be held at Aloha Stadium and it won't be open to the public. So they can practice the wishbone, I assume.

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Ikaika Alama-Francis will start for the Lions in Saturday's preseason game.

The first-team defense is also scheduled to go deep into the second quarter. But if it gets a lot of work early, it could come out earlier. Rookie Ikaika Alama-Francis will start at right defensive end.

“I just want to see him get under pressure, feel it, see what it’s like, see how he reacts,” Marinelli said.

The AP has a profile on Ikaika.

Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry said he likes what he has seen so far from Alama-Francis, who has demonstrated the ability to fit in despite the shortness of his exposure to football.

"You forget sometimes that the kid is 280 pounds when you just see him — he's very smooth and athletic, Barry said. "You can't usually find big men that can run and change direction and rush the passer. He's going to continue to get better, but you know he's coming out here, working everyday and improving."

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The AP preseason college football poll comes out sometime this weekend. Jon Wilner of the Mercury News is an AP voter and reveals his picks. He has UH at #15.

15. Hawaii: The best bet to pull a Boise State, what with Colt Brennan at QB, all those receivers and Boise State visiting O’ahu.

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And a couple days ago, Miami Dolphins QB Trent Green had some good things to say about his center.

"...Their communication over the years was incredible, and that's what's really important. I think Samson (Satele) is doing a great job of that. He's grown exponentially throughout this whole process, the off-season and the training camp. His communication, I can continually hear him talking and communicating with the guys on the line, and that's very important."

I think Samson and The Juggernaut got roster spots sewn up at Miami. Let's hope Tala Esera can secure a spot as well.