At the start of Tuesday’s practice, freshman wide receiver Keelan Ewaliko was summoned inside the circle of Hawaii football teammates to participate in the "Oklahoma" drill.
It is a one-on-one competition decided when one player forces the other out of the drill area. It should have been no surprise that Ewaliko easily defeated 6-foot-3, 190-pound cornerback Barry Higdon. After all, "Oklahoma" also is known as the "bull" drill. Ewaliko, who is 5-11 and 180, is a former rodeo champion who is used to riding bulls weighing a ton.
"I didn’t know what to expect in that drill," Ewaliko said. "The coaches told me to go out there and just be strong. A lot of people like to question my toughness. I don’t look like a tough guy. Just because I’m little, it doesn’t mean I’m not a strong, tough guy."
Ewaliko, who was raised on Maui, used to work on his uncle’s Makawao ranch. He was 11, weighing a little under 100 pounds, when he rode his first bull.
"There’s no such thing as a little bull," Ewaliko said. "They’re all about the same size. (My uncle) put me on one of the tamer ones."
Ewaliko lasted eight seconds.
"That’s the goal," he said. "It was a rush. It felt like a tank — a big, old, wide thing you’re sitting on. All you feel is power."
As he got older, he rode on more difficult bulls.
"You really can’t describe it," Ewaliko said. "You don’t know what power is until you really ride a bull A bull is muscle and power and strength. To ride a bull, I figure, you have to have (guts) to do that."
This past weekend, Ewaliko was excused from two practices because of family issues. He resumed practicing on Monday as a wideout and special-teams player. Although there were considerations of using him on defense, for now he is set in his role.
He also awaits other challenges.
"I like when coaches challenge me," he said. "Challenges bring the best out."
Lefotu coming on
When roll was called last week, offensive guard Dave Lefotu was not "present" on the first-team offense.
Whether opening camp on the second unit served as inspiration, Lefotu played well in practices on Monday and Tuesday. Lefotu’s resurgence has led to several experiments, including using Sully Wiefels, who opened as the No. 1 right guard, as a right tackle.
"(Lefotu) is doing a good job out here," line coach Chris Naeole said. "I told all those guys: ‘We’re competing. Nothing is set in stone. What you see out there (on the first or second teams) doesn’t matter until we get closer to game week. Then we’ll decide who’ll start."
Lefotu, a fourth-year junior, said it dawned on him that he is heading into the final two years of his UH career.
"That was a wake-up call," said Lefotu, who started seven games at right guard in 2012. "I’m definitely more motivated this camp."
Lefotu said he lost 10 pounds in the offseason and now weighs 295. He also improved his flexibility.
Naeole reiterated the depth chart is written in chalk.
"Not even the 1s are safe," Naeole said. "I tell them, ‘If you’re worried about whether you’re with the 1s or 2s, you’re not focused on what’s going on.’ Things will shift. Things will move. We’ll get it right."
Lefotu is part of the experiments. On Tuesday, he was used as a center in scrimmage-like drills.
"That was a good surprise," said Lefotu, who previously worked at center only during quarterback warmups. "It’s different for me. I’m liking it. I’m working harder to get my snaps down."
Cofer catching everything
While Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson recovers from a shoulder sprain the next couple of days, Craig Cofer has practiced mostly as the No. 1 tight end.
Cofer is regarded as the Rainbow Warriors’ best blocking tight end. This camp, Cofer has become a reliable receiver. He has not dropped a pass in team drills.
"If I don’t catch everything, I take it personally," Cofer said. "It bugs me for a long time. I’ll get a quarterback and make him put the ball in the same spot a bunch of times until I get it right."
Cofer credited strength coach Gary Beemer with helping his pass-catching.
"My hands are really strong now," Cofer said. "As soon as the (pass) hits my hands, it stays there."
