Fall Camp: Day 5 Wrap-Ups

Stephen Tsai profiles Earvin Sione, whose arrival to UH has been a long time coming.

He was supposed to join the Warriors in August 2008. But his grade point average and corresponding SAT score did not meet the minimum requirement on the NCAA's sliding scale. The problem was traced to when Sione replaced two classes with a lab and college-prep class. He dropped the two classes after the withdrawal deadline, thus earning Fs for both courses.

"I didn't even know," Sione said of the missed deadline.

The past academic year, Sione attended UH-West O'ahu, earning the 24 transferrable credits necessary to enroll at UH-Manoa this fall.

Sione, who weighed 190 last year, gained about 30 pounds through a high-protein diet.

Last week, he was told he would move to defensive end, a position he had never played.

"He's the type of prospect we're looking for," assistant coach Dave Aranda said. "He's got a great frame and long reach, and he's going to put on good weight. He's very smart, and he's physical, and he asks really good questions. We spend a lot of time talking after meetings and before practices."

Tsai also writes that Kevin Bell went back to the mainland to care for an ailing relative, and talks to Aulola Tonga about his plans to leave on an LDS mission after this season.

Jason Kaneshiro highlights the outstanding play of Biletnikoff award watch-lister Greg Salas.

"He's kind of like a security-blanket type of guy," Alexander said after yesterday's practice. "He made a couple of catches in triple coverage today. It's one of those things where I can throw him a jump ball and trust that he's either going to catch it or break it up."

Salas has made the spectacular look routine on numerous occasions, an attribute he demonstrated a few times yesterday on the damp FieldTurf at Ching Field.

During the 11-on-11 period, a throw from Alexander appeared to sail over the middle. But Salas leapt high to snag the ball with one hand and reel in the reception. Later in the period, Salas kicked into another gear to split double coverage and chase down a deep ball from Alexander.

Kaneshiro also notes that Kalani Brackenridge, a 2009 recruit, will pursue a professional baseball career instead of enrolling at UH.

And on the Warrior Beat, Tsai writes that Kamehameha grad Kapono Rawlins-Crivello, who last played for Boise State, is trying to play for UH this season.

Rawlins-Crivello, a 2006 Kamehameha Schools graduate, attended Boise State for two years. He moved back to Hawai‘i last year.
The WAC requires a player to sit out two seasons if he transfers between member schools. But Rawlins-Crivello is seeking an exemption because he returned to Hawai‘i to take care of his mother, who is a cancer survivor.
If the exemption is aproved, Rawlins-Crivello, who did not play football last year, would be eligible to play for the Warriors this year.