Former University of Hawai'i football player Jake Ingram has an answer to the chicken-or-egg debate.

"Eggs come first," said Ingram, revealing the leadoff course of his weight-gain program.

Ingram is trying to bulk up in preparation for his tryouts in front of National Football League personnel directors, coaches and scouts.

Ingram has been invited to participate in the NFL-sponsored Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., this month, and the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

He is only one of two long-snappers invited to both elite events.

Earlier, former UH cornerback Ryan Mouton and defensive end David Veikune were invited to the NFL combine. Both also will play in the East West Shrine Game in Houston.

"This will be good for Ryan and David," said agent Kenny Zuckerman, who represents both players.

It also is a valuable opportunity for Ingram, a Mililani High graduate who joined the Warriors as a walk-on defensive end. Ingram eventually earned a scholarship as a long-snapper.

Steve Hale, president of the Senior Bowl, said Ingram is the nation's highest-rated long-snapper. Hale said the assessment was a result of extensive research, scouting and video reviews.

"We take specialists very seriously," Hale said. "We spend a lot of time evaluating punters, placekickers and long-snappers. Most of the time, the specialists (invited to the Senior Bowl) are either drafted or make an NFL club as a free agent. Jake is a very good long-snapper."

The UH coaches have said Ingram did not make a poor snap this season.

While flattered by the predictions, Ingram said, "I won't believe it until it really happens. If it happens, that will be confirmation for me."

Ingram is training in West Lake, a suburb of Los Angeles. He lifts weights, run and snaps. He also has been placed on a weight-gain program in which he has six meals and drinks five protein shakes every day.

The 6-foot-4 Ingram weighs 240 pounds, and his goal is to reach 250.

"I start the protection," Ingram said. "They're going to be some big linebacker athletes who will try to run down the A gap (between the snapper and guard). I have to keep them from moving back the point."

Ingram said he has received inquiries from a few teams, including the New York Giants, New York Jets and Oakland Raiders.

The Senior Bowl and combine, he said, "will be an opportunity to showcase my skill."

Mouton also is hopeful of impressing scouts. He is training in Carson, Calif.

"He's got such amazing athleticism and speed," Zuckerman said. "Scouts are excited to see him. He's a great cover guy."

Concerns about Mouton's height — he's 5 feet 9 1/2 — are alleviated by his speed and 39-inch vertical jump.

"If you can cover and have an amazing vertical, if you're 5-91/2 and not 5-10, what does it matter?" Zuckerman said. "That's what the East West will show."

Mouton, who weighs 183 pounds, has been placed on a daily 4,500-calorie diet. He said he wants to weigh "close to 187" for the scouts during East West testing.

Still, Mouton is trying to maintain his quickness. At Blinn College, he ran 40 yards in 4.27 seconds. He said his goal is to run in the low 4.3s at the combine.

To that end, he has two workout sessions each day — 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

"This is an all-day job," Mouton said. "You have to put in the work if you want the results."

TOMEY IS MR. PRESIDENT

Former University of Hawai'i football coach Dick Tomey will be installed as the next president of the American Football Coaches Association, his current school, San Jose State, announced.

Tomey, who has been first vice president of the 10,000-member organization, will take over Jan. 14 at the annual convention in Nashville, Tenn.

Tomey, who has been head coach at UH (1977-'86), Arizona and San Jose State, succeeds former Washington coach Tyrone Willingham.