Moniz remains in top QB group
BY Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.com Editor
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Although the Hawai'i football team will not release a post-spring-training depth chart, it has established a two-tier system for the quarterbacks.
Head coach Greg McMackin said Shane Austin, David Graves, Brent Rausch and Bryant Moniz are in the top group.
Cayman Shutter, Corey Nielsen and incoming freshman Kevin Spain are in the second group.
Moniz, who entered the recently completed spring training as the No. 1 quarterback, did not practice with the Warriors since he was placed on "personal leave" April 8.
Both Moniz, a junior from Leilehua High, and McMackin have said Moniz will rejoin the team this summer.
Offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich acknowledged that Moniz still "was No. 1" when he departed. McMackin said Moniz will remain in that first tier despite the absence.
Still, Rolovich said, "nobody really separated" himself from the other quarterbacks during the 15 practices of spring training spread over a month.
Austin probably was the most consistent.
Graves, who redshirted as a freshman in 2009, made significant progress after being used exclusively as a scout quarterback last season.
Rausch played impressively, although he struggled with consistency. But Rausch showed no ill effects from the finger injury on his right (throwing) hand that forced him to miss the 2009 season.
In last week's Warrior Bowl, Austin was the No. 1 quarterback. Graves was No. 2, and Rausch No. 3.
Rolovich said the order is not set for training camp, which opens Aug. 4.
There is clarity at the wideout positions. At the end of spring training, Royce Pollard had the edge over Billy Ray Stutzmann at right wideout.
Pollard "had a very good spring," Rolovich said of the junior from San Diego. "It seemed like he made bigger plays for us this spring than he did in the past."
Stutzmann, who will be a second-year freshman in the fall, was slowed by nagging injuries.
"I thought Billy Ray started off spring really well," Rolovich said. "He got banged up a little bit."
At left wideout, Rodney Bradley is expected to make a full recovery from surgery to repair to fractures in his left leg. Bradley did not participate in team drills during spring training, but after each practice, he ran routes. If healthy, Bradley will regain his spot as the No. 1 left wideout.
In Bradley's absence, Joe Avery and Darius Bright took most of the reps at left wideout.
Yesterday, the Warriors had their final team meeting. This week, the position coaches will meet with each of their players.
McMackin said the active roster will be pared by 30 to 35 players, making room for recruits, transfers and preferred walk-ons.
The NCAA limits training-camp rosters to 105 players. The roster may be expanded on the first day of a school's fall semester.
McMackin said he will not announce the names of the players cut nor release a post-spring depth chart. He said some of the players initially cut might be invited to training camp if space opens.
He also said some of the cut players will be asked to rejoin the team when the roster limit is lifted.