Spring Day 12 Wrap-Ups

Greg McMackin tells Stephen Tsai that all but three of the starting positions are still up for grabs.

Only center John Estes, who is being trumpeted as an All-America candidate, quarterback Greg Alexander and defensive end Fetaiagogo John Fonoti will exit spring training No. 1 at their positions.

"Everything else is competition," McMackin said. "And that's good. Competition is making us better."

Tsai also writes about injuries to Rick Taylor and Quentin Beaver, and has a profile of cornerback Jeramy Bryant.

Bryant, who redshirted last season after transferring from Los Angeles Harbor College, is the leading candidate for one of the starting jobs at corner. He also is practicing as a nickelback.

"Technically, he's very sound," McMackin said. "He's smart. He has a great attitude. He can run. He has great anticipation on the ball. He's very aggressive. I'm very comfortable with him starting at corner for us."

Jason Kaneshiro profiles linebacker Mana Lolotai.

Lolotai put in a solid day's work last Saturday and alternated with senior Brashton Satele at middle linebacker in yesterday's practice.

Lolotai has been working primarily with the second unit during the spring, but got a few repetitions with the first unit after an impressive performance in last Saturday's scrimmage.

"We have to know how to play with each other," Lolotai said. "Playing with the ones, I get that more fast-paced tempo."

Kaneshiro also writes about nickelback Richard Torres.

"People don't realize how quick he is," associate coach Rich Miano said. "He turns the corner. He knows how to knife in there, he knows how to time up the cadence."

Torres has been the Warriors' top nickel back in the spring, a position filled by Ryan Mouton last year. Along with putting pressure on the passer, Torres had a productive practice in the secondary yesterday, breaking up a deep pass and later stripping the ball from a receiver.

And Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times catches up with some former Huskies coaches, including current UH special teams/safeties coach Chris Tormey.

But Tormey wasn't sidelined long. He quickly got in touch with Hawaii coach Greg McMackin, a longtime friend who had been a coach at Idaho in the late '70s when Tormey was a player there.

Interestingly, Tormey replaced former UW player Ikaika Malloe on the Hawaii staff as Malloe left for Yale. Until he gets more permanent housing, Tormey is living in the 34th floor of a condo overlooking the ocean, 10 minutes from campus. "So life is good," he says.