Before they could run, four University of Hawaii football players had to endure intensive physical therapy, electrical-stimulation treatments, yoga-like stretches, and exercises as painful as the initial injuries.

"Every day," linebacker Julian Gener said, "I do something to try to get better."

On Tuesday afternoon, six hours after the Warriors’ ninth practice of spring training, Gener was in the corner of the Stan Sheriff Center, dodging errant volleyballs while performing leg stretches under trainer Jayson Goo’s guidance.

Running back Steven Lakalaka said he stretches as part of his nightly routine.

Linebacker Jerrol Garcia-Williams and wideout Devan Stubblefield said they often undergo physical therapy that lasts up to three hours per session.

"I try to go as much as I can," Stubblefield said. "The more I go, the faster I think I’ll get better. That’s the mission and the objective. I have to set aside time. It’s difficult because of school and football. It’s all about buckling down and doing it."

The four were expected to be key contributors during the 2014 season. But Stubblefield, the jewel of the 2014 recruiting class, suffered ACL and meniscus tears in his left knee during the first practice of training camp.

In the second game, Garcia-Williams also suffered ACL and meniscus tears to his left knee.

In early October, Gener had surgery for a fractured right fibula.

Lakalaka had surgery in November for a severely torn right hamstring. Four screws were inserted to re-attach the hamstring to his buttocks.

All four are expected to be fully healthy for training camp in August. Gener and Garcia-Williams participate in linebacker drills during spring practice. Stubblefield runs routes in non-contract drills. Lakalaka goes through footwork drills and sprints.

"I stretch every night," Lakalaka said. "If I don’t, it’ll get tight the next day."

Lakalaka said he suffered the injury when his shoe came off during a cut. "I did the splits, and the (defender) landed on me, and I tore my hamstring," Lakalaka said.

Gener is coming off his second major injury in two years. In 2013, his first season after transferring from Mount San Antonio College, he suffered an elbow injury. Last season, he fractured his fibula where it forms part of the ankle.

"It’s frustrating, but it’s part of the game," Gener said. "I put it all out on the field. They say the guys who play the hardest get hurt the most. … The biggest thing coming back is the mental aspect. I didn’t trust (the ankle) for a while. I still have times I don’t trust it."

Gener said a metal plate and five screws remain in his ankle. He said it is an adventure when he goes through airport security.

"They have their (metal-detecting) wands out going crazy," Gener said, smiling. "But TSA normally takes a chill pill when I tell them it’s just a broken ankle."

With identical injuries, Garcia-Williams and Stubblefield go through the same rehabilitation treatments.

"You have to challenge yourself so you can come back the same, if not stronger," Garcia-Williams said.

Garcia-Williams said he studied pro athletes who recovered from ACL injuries, such as Derrick Rose, Adrian Peterson, Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry.

Stubblefield aspired to play both football and baseball after signing with UH.

"It didn’t work out," Stubblefield said. "I’ll come back full speed and we’ll see what happens."