University of Hawai'i left tackle Keoni Steinhoff, middle linebacker Rustin Saole and long-snapper Jake Ingram have been awarded football scholarships.

Each had joined the program as a walk-on. The announcements were made during a team meeting Thursday night.

Steinhoff, a junior from Damien Memorial School, is projected to succeed Tala Esera, who is now with the Miami Dolphins.

"It was exciting," Steinhoff said of the announcement. "I called my parents. I'm really happy. It's going to be a good year."

Quarterback Colt Brennan said: "That's awesome. I'm glad. Being a former walk-on, too, I've got a lot of pride in guys who walk on. It says a lot about a football player if he's a walk-on who starts. That says a lot about his character and his determination. He's a guy who really deserves it. I'm glad he got a scholarship."

The scholarship will come in handy for Saole, whose wife, UH track-and-field athlete Ku'ulei (Karratti) Saole, gave birth to the couple's first child seven weeks ago.

"I'm really happy," said Saole, a senior from Waipahu. "God's good. God's really good. In the meeting, they announced it to the team, and I was like, 'Whoa.' I wanted to cry. I have a baby, a wife. I have my whole family. And now this. It's a real blessing."

Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said Saole is "deserving. He did a great job in the spring. He'll really contribute this year. It's a great thing that June (Jones) does to reward the guys who work hard."

Ingram, a junior from Mililani, was supposed to receive a scholarship last January. But UH miscalculated the number of available scholarships.

"They gave it to me for this semester, which is just fine," Ingram said. "I'm really happy. Now I get a (monthly) check."

Ingram entered UH as a defensive end. But he was moved to long-snapper near the end of the 2005 season.

As a condition for receiving the scholarship, Ingram will not be permitted to be used in any position except long-snapper. While that clause was difficult to accept initially, Ingram said, "Now it's fine. I'll miss the action, but I'm going to focus on long-snapping. It'll help me in the long run."

TOP RECRUIT PRACTICES

Running back Leon Wright-Jackson, a former high school All-American who is considered to be the jewel of the 2007 recruiting class, participated in non-contact drills yesterday.

Wright-Jackson, who is 6 feet 1 and 220 pounds, was used as a pass-blocker. The Warriors did not practice any running plays.

"Pass-blocking comes first, running comes next," Wright-Jackson said. "I don't mind that at all. I want to learn. Whatever the team needs from me, I'll do that first."

He said he is awaiting certification of his physical examination before he will be allowed to participate in the 220-yard sprints.

"When everything is cleared up, I'll run my 220s, just like everybody else did," Wright-Jackson said.

SLOTBACK RETURNS PUNTS

Ryan Grice-Mullins, the starting right slotback, practiced punt returning yesterday.

"I did it in high school, but I haven't done it since I've been here," said Grice-Mullins, adding the decision came after a discussion with the coaches.

Jones prefers not to use underclassman starters as punt returners. "You know how coach Jones is," said Grice-Mullins, a fourth-year junior. "But why not practice? Why not be ready so you don't have to get ready."

KICKING IT UP A NOTCH

Tim "T-Grass" Grasso, a transfer from Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, Calif., and Briton Forester, who was used for short-yardage placekicks last year, are competing for the starting punter's job.

Grasso, a former All-State receiver at Utah's Davis High School, spent six weeks competing in Mike McCabe's One-on-One Kicking Camp in Alabama this summer. McCabe is one of the top kicking/punting coaches in the country.

The camp helped correct Grasso's tendency to over-stride.

"He broke down every aspect of punting," Grasso said.

At Dixie State College in 2005, Grasso averaged 42.2 yards per punt. At Saddleback last year, he averaged 40 yards per punt. This season's goal is to average 4.5 seconds in hang time.

Last year, Grasso punted 91 times — 75 more than Kurt Milne attempted for UH in 2006.

Grasso, who is in line for a scholarship, took out student loans to pay for this fall's tuition, room and board.

ESTES LIKES HIGH PRAISE

Pressure?

Not only is John Estes a third-year sophomore playing a new position, he has to live up to Jones' billing as "the best player who ever played offensive line here."

"I'm glad he thinks highly of me," said Estes, who moves from right guard to center, "but I was trying to stay low key. I wanted to fly under the radar."

As the leader of the offensive line and successor to Samson Satele, Estes is indeed the center of attention. He also will have to be a quick study.

Estes did not practice at center during spring training, although he played there in the spring of 2005. He was a center for three years at Saint Mary's High in Stockton, Calif.

"There's a lot more to worry about at center, like making the calls," he said. "The whole offensive line is relying on you not to bust. I have to communicate to everyone. If we're not on the same page, then that's when busts and stuff happen."

Brennan and Estes practiced snap exchanges during unsupervised workouts this summer.

"We have to get it in game scenarios, like in practice," Brennan said. "One thing is I have a lot of confidence in John, a lot of trust. I was happy he made the move to center. We have a whole month to work on things."

FRUEAN READY TO GO

Strong safety B.J. Fruean met the requirements to practice.

"I did my part," said Fruean, a third-year sophomore from Leilehua High.

Fruean played as a freshman in 2005, then served an academic redshirt last year. He remained on scholarship and attended classes, but was restricted from practices or games.

"It was hard to sit out," he said. "Since I wasn't on the active roster, I couldn't do anything."

He said he kept active by adding other workouts, such as boxing and mixed-martial arts. He also played basketball.

"I gained mass," said Fruean, who weighs 230, "but I didn't lose speed. I'm happy to be back. I'm ready to contend."

EX-PLAYER ADJUSTS

Jason Ferguson said the most difficult part of the first night of training camp was saying goodbye.

"It wasn't easy," said Ferguson, a slotback who accepted a medical retirement after struggling to recover from a second reconstructive knee surgery. "When everyone was bunking up and getting settled, I was going to my car to go home. That was a weird feeling. I was here four years. I went from being a starter to not having a locker. It tests your inner strength. That's life."

Ferguson, who remains on scholarship, will serve as a student assistant.

"I got through that night, and now I'm good," he said. "I'll be here every day helping out, doing my part."

HARMON IS VIDEO GUY

Paul Harmon, who has played on the offensive and defensive lines, will serve as a video coordinator this season.

Harmon said he is on track to earn his bachelor's degree in December.

"Summer school helps," said Harmon, who needed only 3 1/2 years.

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Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.