Linebacker Benny Fonua’s strength might be on the strong side.

Fonua was moved from middle linebacker to the position opposite the tight end during Tuesday’s spring practice.

“We’re experimenting with a lot of stuff,” UH coach Norm Chow said, noting that defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer said “Benny did some good things.”

Fonua did not play strongside linebacker at Kahuku High, where he was named the state’s defensive player of the year in 2011. He was a middle linebacker as a UH freshman in 2012.

He was notified of the position switch just before the start of Tuesday’s practice.

“They told me, ‘Give it your best,’ ” Fonua recalled. “I did my best. Hopefully, it went the way they wanted.”

Linebackers coach Tony Tuioti said: “He did a lot of good things at that position. When you put him at (strongside) linebacker, it minimizes the things he needs to think about. He can be instinctive.”

In UH’s base defense, the strongside linebacker often aligns near the line of scrimmage. He can hook the tight end, drop into pass coverage or storm the backfield.

“Benny is big, physical and strong,” Tuioti said. “We figured if we put Benny on the tight end, that would be a mismatch.”

Fonua said he enjoyed the role of quarterback harasser.

“That’s one of the best parts,” Fonua said. “I get to rush the quarterback and make a play.”

Fonua acknowledged it was a rugged adjustment playing as a true freshman.

“I was a little nervous coming in as a freshman,” Fonua said. “As the year went on, I got comfortable and familiar with the plays.”

But he admittedly was frustrated with a sprained left knee suffered in the middle of the 2012 season.

“Before, it was rusty a little bit,” Fonua said. “It feels great now.”

Warriors sharp in two-minute drill

The Warriors were crisp running the two-minute offense during Tuesday’s practice.

Despite a head cold, quarterback Taylor Graham solidified his place atop the depth chart.

“It’s all coming together,” Graham said. “Every day we make mistakes. But the best thing we can do is not make the same mistake twice.”

Running back Steven Lakalaka, who has struggled with attacking the running lanes, had a 37-yard scoring run.

“When he busted one, he was running hard,” Chow said.

Lakalaka said: “I give thanks to the O-line. They opened the holes.”

Alo gets work at middle linebacker

Kamalani Alo moved from outside linebacker to middle linebacker in the Warriors’ base defense.

Alo had been used in the middle in sub-packages.

“It’s good to get guys out of their comfort zone,” Tuioti said. “That’s what spring ball is all about. Can Benny be (a strongside linebacker) permanently?  Can Kama be a (middle) permanently?  We don’t know. But this is the time to explore that.”

Tight end Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson, who missed seven practices because of back soreness, competed in drills on Tuesday.