At the end of the Hawai'i football team's spring practice yesterday, defensive end Fetaiagogo John Fonoti grabbed a reporter's tape recorder and conducted his own interview.

It was a nice distraction for Fonoti, who has tried to remain focused while serving as the focus of the Warriors' renovated pass rush.

"It's going to be my senior year, and I'm trying to do my best, better than I did last year," Fonoti said.

Fonoti and David Veikune were bookends to a menacing pass rush that was complemented by linebackers Adam Leonard and Solomon Elimiman, and nickelback Ryan Mouton.

All but Fonoti have completed their UH eligibility. The departure of Veikune, in particular, has affected Fonoti. Both trained together, and it was Veikune's power moves that steered away a backfield blocker from Fonoti.

"He was like a big idol for me," Fonoti said. "I'm trying to be like him — his speed rush, his power. I want to get a better work ethic."

If balancing football and school were not enough, Fonoti is coping with personal issues. One concern is the health of his mother, who is undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer.

"It's a big shock for us," Fonoti said. "She's always trying to tell us she's OK, that she's getting better. As time goes on, we can see what's really going on."

Often, Fonoti acknowledged, it is a struggle to concentrate.

"She's always been with me," Fonoti said. "I want to be there for her."

For now, Fonoti is intent on succeeding in football and his studies.

"The coaches, the mentors, the tutors have helped me out big time," Fonoti said. "They work around my schedule."

His itinerary now includes time in the weight room.

As a student-athlete at Farrington High, Fonoti recalled, "I was only in the weight room twice, maybe four times."

He was on the active roster as a UH freshman in 2005. The next year, he was restricted from participating in football practices or games to focus on academics.

That sabbatical, he said, "helped me a lot academically. ... And it got me into the weight room."

Now Fonoti can bench press 385 pounds and power clean 314 pounds.

BRADLEY CATCHING ON

In the first step to a starring role, wideout Rodney Bradley passed his screen test.

During team drills yesterday, Bradley, aligned to the left, broke inside, caught a screen pass from Greg Alexander, juked safety Spencer Smith and sprinted for a long gain.

"It was my first time running it," Bradley said. "I like it."

The inside screen was a pet play between quarterback Colt Brennan and wideout Jason Rivers in 2006 and 2007. The route causes chaos for defenses set in a two-deep zone, and opens the way for slotbacks or running backs to curl into the flats. Most important, it gives a big wideout, like Rivers or Bradley, a running start.

"You saw what he did to Spencer," Alexander said. "If you get him the ball in space, he's going to make some things happen. He's going to be fun."

Bradley, who can run 40 yards in 4.4 seconds, said the "offense will allow me the chance to use a lot of my talent."

Now Bradley, who rotates with Joe Avery, is getting used to the workload. This spring, UH is using a platoon system, in which a second offensive unit sprints onto the field when the first team finishes a play. UH head coach Greg McMackin said the constant rotations double the number of plays the Warriors can run in team drills.

Bradley does not mind the added reps. Last season, he played in Navarro College's run-oriented offense.

The Warriors, Bradley said, throw "five times more in practices. (At Navarro) it was a lot of blocking."