2008 Class / Graunke, UPDATE: Recruit highlight vids from UH site

Jason Kaneshiro covers Coach Greg McMackin's press conference discussing the new recruits.

Speed was a theme Greg McMackin hit on repeatedly during the close to 40 minutes he spent discussing his first recruiting class as Hawaii football coach.

There was both the on-field quickness that McMackin covets in recruits and the type shown by the Warriors coaching staff in identifying and putting together a group of 22 signees in a three-week span.

"It was a fast three weeks, but it was a fun three weeks," McMackin said during a press conference in which he addressed the attributes of this year's group of newcomers.

The group was split evenly between offense and defense, and between high schoolers and junior college players who he feels will make an instant impact, particularly at wide receiver and cornerback.

"Speed is a big deal to us," he said, "and these players, all of them, have speed."

Kaneshiro goes on to break down how the players in this class could impact each position.

Stephen Tsai has a detailed list of the new Warriors, with stats, info, quotes from McMackin (some different than what was in the UH press release), and credit for the coach who recruited each player. The article also has a link to the Princess' video from McMackin's press conference.

And Tsai has more details about Tyler Graunke's suspension.

Graunke, who will be a fifth-year senior in the fall, said he needs to change his major.

"I have to get the proposal approved," he said. "I'm going through the process. ... It's not going to have an effect on spring ball or my eligibility. There are things I need to take care of."

McMackin and Graunke met Wednesday afternoon.

Right before the first Super Games competition Wednesday, the team was told that Graunke would not be a participant in the off-season program. There are 10 teams in the Super Games composed of UH players, with each team earning — or losing — points based on academic and workout performances.

"I'm disappointed," Graunke said. "I see the team working out together. I'm still working out."

He added: "I remain committed to football. I have to take care of that other stuff. It's not going to be a problem."

UPDATE: UH Athletics website has highlight videos of the new crop of recruits. 2 separate videos, one for the local boys and one for the mainlanders... can't wait till they all become Warriors. (there's no audio, so its not just you).