Training Camp Is Near

Very near. Dave Reardon writes about some players who may be delayed in their arrivals.

Heralded running back Leon Wright-Jackson arrived in the islands yesterday, but he can't practice with his new Hawaii football teammates until verification of completion of his associate's degree is received.

The status of junior defensive end Jon Fonoti was not clear yesterday, but sources said it appears Fonoti has made good academic progress and will be back on the team after sitting out last year when he was expected to start.

Senior outside linebacker Francis Maka is also awaiting a summer school grade.

Stephen Tsai also has an article about the players who may be delayed.

Defensive backs Ryan Mouton, Keenan Jones, B.J. Fruean and Kenny Graham will not attend the opening of the University of Hawai'i football team's training camp.

Mouton, Jones and Fruean are awaiting certification of summer-session classes.

Graham, a four-star cornerback from Bakersfield College, is not expected to play for the Warriors this season.

Mouton, a cornerback who played at Blinn College in Texas, has earned an associate degree, an NCAA eligibility requirement for a junior-college transfer. But he was told to remain in Texas until his transcripts have been certified. That could take at least another five business days.

Jones, a junior cornerback, and Fruean, a third-year sophomore strong safety, could miss even more time. They are attending UH's second summer session. The term ends Aug. 10.

Too bad about Graham. Let's hope there are no extended delays in certification for the rest. Also from Tsai's article, Dennis McKnight has some advice for the backup offensive linemen heading into camp.

"The old theory I hang my hat on is: life is like a dog-sled team. If you're not striving to be the lead dog, the view never changes. If you're content looking at someone's rear from Nome in the Iditarod, then that's fine. But I want to be out front, breathing fresh air and leading the way. That's what I want to instill in them."

Gotta love McKnight. Speaking of which, when will we be able to see his awesome acting in the soon-to-be-released(??) "June Jones and the Magic Temple"?

UPDATE: Stephen Tsai also posted the latest UH roster on The Warrior Beat.