Graunke, Cal Lee, Recruiting, Colt, Etc.

Stephen Tsai talks to Tyler Graunke, who is confident and ready to earn the starting job heading towards the 2008 season.

"I don't want it handed to me," said Graunke, who served as the primary backup to Heisman finalist Colt Brennan the past three seasons. "I'm going to show the new guys — the guys who don't know me as well as other guys — I'm going to earn it. I want it more than anything in my life. I've been waiting for this for a long time. I'm not going to shy away from any experience."

McMackin wiped clean the depth chart, insisting that each player has an equal chance to win a starting job.

"It's going to be a true test of heart," Graunke said. "Who works the hardest is going to be on the field, and who practices the best, and who's the most consistent. It's going to make us better. I know we're going to be going to Florida with a confident group of guys. We have to make sure it's the right group of guys."

Tsai talks to Cal Lee about his expanded coaching and recruiting roles.

Lee, like McMackin, has pared football strategy to the basics.

"It's assignment and alignment," Lee said. "If anything comes your way, you have to be able to make a play."

Last season, the Warriors improved in nearly every meaningful defensive category — yards per rush, third-down efficiency, turnovers, points scored by the defense.

"The challenge is for us to get better," Lee said. "There's always room for improvement. We're never going to be satisfied."

Stacy Kaneshiro writes about some recruiting visits taking place this weekend.

Saint Louis defensive tackle Geordon Hanohano and offensive lineman Tui Tuiasosopo, both Advertiser All-State first-team selections, will visit the Manoa campus, Crusaders coach Delbert Tengan said.

Joining them will be Damien defensive back Christian Vasconcellos, who verbally committed to UH last summer. Monarchs teammate Haku Correa, a defensive lineman, also will make the 48-hour visit, Vasconcellos said. Both are Advertiser All-Division II All-State selections.

Kaiser wide receiver Kalua Noa also will be visiting UH, Cougars coach Patrick Samsonas said. Noa was the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Offensive Player of the Year.

Dave Reardon talks to Colt Brennan, who is training in California for the upcoming Senior Bowl.

The Heisman finalist is working out at Orange Coast College near his Irvine, Calif., home in preparation for the Senior Bowl a week from tomorrow in Mobile, Ala.

"It's a brand-new facility and it's got everything I need," Brennan said during a phone call yesterday.

Brennan also said he has been invited to participate in a Quarterback Challenge event that will be held in conjunction with the Super Bowl later this month in Phoenix

Reardon has more in his Sports Notebook.

Brennan, who said he just got over a nasty flu that caused him to lose weight, has been working with trainer Doug Hix to gain strength and bulk.

"I'm trying to get my size back, I don't even want to say what my weight is now," said Brennan. "Dude, three meals a day and three snacks. Food constantly."

He said he's glad former defensive coordinator Greg McMackin was chosen to replace June Jones, who left as Warriors head coach for SMU last week.

"I'm extremely excited about him. The program has been left in good hands," Brennan said. "The more I think about it, our defense will be awesome, and the guys in that offense will continue to progress. It's Tyler's (quarterback Graunke) time to shine."

Also from the Notebook, news about recruiting, possible reinstatements of Mario Cox and B.J. Fruean, etc.

Herman Frazier is interviewing for the AD position at the University of Miami.

Also, from last night, KHNL has a story about McMackin addressing his team at the top of their sports page (sorry, no permalink). It's titled "New U.H. Warrior Coach Speaks to Players for the First Time" and it includes interviews with Leon Wright-Jackson and Le'Marcus Gibson.

UPDATE: Stephen Tsai's blog has info on a free autograph session this weekend, and some quotes from Blaze Soares. Here's one:

"The picture is starting to become more clear. It was a little bit dusty at first. Now we know who's our OC and our DC. We have to get the recruits in, and the rest of the coaching staff, and let's get it on."