Three Warriors Will Redshirt the Season

Jones said three members of the 2007 recruiting class — center Sila Lefiti, left tackle Ray Hisatake and defensive tackle Chris Leatigaga — will redshirt this season.

Lefiti, a 2007 graduate of Mater Dei High School in California, will not practice to focus on school work.

Hisatake and Leatigaga will continue to practice. They will redshirt provided they are not needed for emergency situations.

"That's fine with me," said Hisatake, who enrolled at UH in January after playing at College of San Mateo last season.

Hisatake did not play football in high school. He was a defensive lineman at San Mateo. He first played on the offensive line during UH's spring training in April.

"He's a great kid, and he's going to be a great player," Jones said. "He just hasn't had much experience on offense."

Hisatake said: "I'm really new to this position. A year off to learn everything would be great. I know I've come a long way already. To get better and hone a new skill is better for me and the team."

Leatigaga also has changed positions, moving from defensive end to defensive tackle. His progress was stunted when he missed several practices to attend summer school.

"I want to redshirt so I can get stronger and faster," said Leatigaga, who transferred from Foothill College in California. "Going from end to tackle is a big difference. It's a whole other ballgame playing in the middle."