Nine players are set to join the University of Hawai'i football team today, the first day the NCAA allows the Warriors' roster to expand.

Reporting to the Warriors are quarterback Kiran Kepo'o, slotback Mitch Farney, offensive lineman Nate McKay, defensive end Antwan "Tua" Mahaley, defensive tackle Keahi Watson, linebackers Jared Lene and Corey Peredes, cornerback Camron Carmona and safety Kenny Estes.

At least six others will begin attending UH today, the first day of the fall semester, but will not join the Warriors until January.

The NCAA limits each Division I-A team to 105 players during training camp, which ended Thursday for the Warriors. There are no roster limits once a school's fall term begins.

But head coach June Jones said the Warriors have only 115 locker stalls in the athletic complex. There is room for more than 115 players if some share a locker.

Of the nine players reporting today, all but Watson, Carmona and Peredes participated in spring training.

Carmona, who is 5 feet 10 and 180 pounds, transferred from Fullerton Community College. Carmona and quarterback Colt Brennan were teammates at Mater Dei High School in California. Carmona turned down offers from Division II schools in the East to join the Warriors as a non-scholarship player. He has two years of NCAA eligibility remaining.

Watson is the brother of starting defensive left tackle Keala Watson.

He is transferring from Saint Francis, a Division I-AA school in Pennsylvania.

In accordance with NCAA transfer rules, Watson is not allowed to play this season, although he is eligible to compete in practices. Watson, who started two games as a freshman in 2006, will have four years to play three seasons.

"I'm ready," Watson said. "It wasn't too bad (not being invited to training camp). It was hard to keep working out on my own. They didn't have anybody to push me, like you would at practice."

His Saint Francis teammate, offensive lineman Derek Uperesa, will join the Warriors in January.

Kepo'o, who played at 'Iolani School, and Estes, an alumnus of Waimea High School, are 2006 graduates. They attended UH as part-time students, and their NCAA eligibility clocks started when they joined the Warriors in January.

Both have five years to play four seasons. Kepo'o will redshirt this season, then compete for extended playing time in spring training.

Estes, who is 6-2, added muscle and now weighs 205.

"I'm really excited about getting out there," Estes said. "I'm ready."

Farney, who redshirted as a freshman in 2006, practiced with the first team when starting right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins suffered an ankle injury last year. Because the coaches needed to give reps to players at other positions, there was no room for Farney on the training-camp roster.

"It was tough," Farney said, "but I still went to film sessions, still did the workouts."

Farney also trained with his roommate, slotback Eric Shaffer, who grayshirted last year.

Mahaley, a third-year sophomore, is making the move from wideout to defensive end.

He was held out of training camp to work on improving his strength.

"Going from receiver to D-end is a big change," Mahaley said. "I wanted to bulk up and get stronger."

This will be the first time he will be playing on defense. He was a tight end in high school. What's more, the Warriors have implemented a new system under defensive coordinator Greg McMackin.

"I'm trying to keep up," Mahaley said. "It's totally different. I know the offense, but now I have to learn the defense. I'm over there, like a baby fresh out of the womb trying to learn some language."

Mahaley, who is 6-4 and 215 pounds, said he has been told there is a possibility he might be used as a tight end in specific short-yard situations.

"It depends on JJ," Mahaley said. "Whatever he says, I'll do."

The Warriors still are awaiting NCAA clearance for freshman center Matagisila Lefiti, who played last season at Mater Dei.

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