Mike Milovale finally moved from the waiting line to the offensive line.
After missing the first five practices of training camp, Milovale was cleared to play for the Hawaii football team on Wednesday.
Two weeks ago, Milovale completed work on an associate’s degree, a key eligibility requirement in transferring from a junior college. Milovale then waited for Hartnell College to send his transcripts to UH.
“I kept waiting and waiting,” Milovale said. “It was pretty sad. It was taking forever.”
Messages to Hartnell were answered with: “Be patient.”
“I kept calling every day,” he said. “It was like, ‘Come on, please, I want to get in.’ ”
UH received a faxed copy of the transcripts on Wednesday. He was able to practice that afternoon, but not in full pads. There is a three-day waiting period for contact drills.
Milovale took reps at left tackle. He also is skilled enough to play guard.
“We’re excited about him,” UH coach Norm Chow said. “He didn’t get to do much. But he gives us more competition on the offensive line.”
Milovale is listed at 6 feet 3 and 310 pounds.
Pu‘u-Robinson waiting on NCAA
Jordon Pu‘u-Robinson has been rotating between defensive end and defensive tackle the past three practices.
Whether he will be part of the playing rotation this season is up to the NCAA.
Pu‘u-Robinson relinquished a football scholarship and a likely starting job at Washington State to transfer to UH.
His decision was based largely on a family situation — an argument he hopes will result in an exemption to allow him to play this season. Players transferring between FBS schools usually must redshirt for a year. The petition was filed more than a month ago to the NCAA.
“I think we have a good shot,” Pu‘u-Robinson said. “It’s in the hands of the NCAA.”
At 6-4 and 260 pounds, Pu‘u-Robinson has the speed and dimensions to play the hybrid position of joker, in which he could attack as an edge rusher or drop back into coverage.
Defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer observed that Pu‘u-Robinson had the strength and sturdiness to play defensive tackle.
“I played end most of my career,” he said. “I feel pretty natural at that. But I’m down to playing wherever the coaches want me to play.”
He said he has received tutoring from defensive end Paipai Falemalu, a co-captain.
“He’s my big brother,” Pu‘u-Robinson said. “He’s shown me the ways around here. He’s been a really big help.”
Graves feeling out receiver position
Although he still is considered the No. 3 quarterback, David Graves continues to practice full time at receiver.
“We want to give him a chance to see if he really likes to play receiver,” Chow said. “We really think he can help us there.”
Ikaika Woolsey, a freshman who joined the Warriors in January, is getting the reps that usually go to the No. 3 quarterback. Sean Schroeder is the starting quarterback and Jeremy Higgins is the primary backup.
Woolsey said he enjoys being back in the rotation. He had ascended to No. 2 quarterback in spring training before struggling.
“I didn’t end spring the way I wanted to, but it is what it is,” Woolsey said. “I have to move forward, turn the next page, and get better every day. I can’t make excuses. I have to put the work in.”
In the spring, he was nicknamed “Baby Mo,” because he sported long hair similar to former UH quarterback Bryant Moniz’s hairstyle in 2011. Woolsey cut off his long locks last month.
“My shower time is a lot quicker,” Woolsey said, “and I’m spending less on hair products.”