The University of Hawai'i football team's depth chart is taking shape, with heated competition only remaining at quarterback, right slotback and nose tackle for next Saturday's season opener against two-time defending national champion Southern California.

Walking off Aloha Stadium's FieldTurf yesterday following a practice that ended in darkness, UH coach June Jones restated his plan that quarterbacks Tyler Graunke and Colt Brennan would both play against USC.

Graunke and Brennan each took 40 snaps yesterday, although Brennan's plays were mostly in the 11-on-11 drills in the second half of practice.

"It was a good chance to get in there" for an extended period, said Brennan, a third-year sophomore who transferred from Saddleback Community College (Mission Viejo, Calif.). "I know I'm not No. 1. Tyler is probably going to be the starter. (Jones is) getting me ready. I'm behind (in work). It's a repetition thing. I need to do it so many times for me to really get it down. It's 'not knowing,' it's 'not doing.' "

Graunke, a second-year freshman from Arizona, said he is not fixated on his place on the depth chart.

"We'll see how it goes," Graunke said. "Whatever my role is, I'm happy with it, as long as we can beat USC."

The situation is chaotic at slotback. The two best slots in training camp — Jason Ferguson and Davone Bess — both play on the left side. But with fifth-year senior Nate Ilaoa still struggling with his fitness, and second-year freshman Ryan Grice-Mullen unavailable to practice because of a strained right shoulder, Jones is experimenting with different combinations.

In one scenario, Ferguson would move to right slotback and Bess would start on the left side. Jones also said Ross Dickerson, the starting right wideout, will practice at right slotback.

"We're going to rotate," Jones said. "We're going to put Ross Dickerson inside, too, because we're short on slots. Everybody is going to rotate around every position."

Asked if the Ferguson/Bess combination would be his preference if the season opened today, Jones said, "I would say that would be a good possibility. It depends on how Nate does."

Ilaoa, who is 5 feet 9, reported to training camp three weeks ago weighing 249 pounds. Since then, he has lost at least 15 pounds.

"Nate got some reps today because Ryan Grice-Mullen is out," Jones said. "I was hoping (Grice-Mullen would) already be back, but he's not back yet."

The apparent starters on offense are left tackle Tala Esera, left guard Samson Satele, center Derek Fa'avi, right guard Brandon Eaton, right tackle Dane Uperesa, left wideout Ian Sample and running back Bryan Maneafaiga. Kala Latuselu is top the blocking back.

On defense, nose tackle appears to be the only unsettled position. Renolds Fruean, who started his NCAA career at Washington State, was the top candidate before suffering a hip flexor. He did not practice yesterday.

Reagan Mauia and Fale Laeli, for the moment, are the other top contenders.

"We're rotating guys in there," Jones said. "We still don't know about a couple of guys' eligibility."

Jones also said he has "no idea" about the availability of left cornerback Kenny Patton for the opener. Patton underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday to repair a damaged meniscus in his right knee. The recovery period is up to six weeks, although Patton, who was on crutches yesterday, has not eliminated the possibility of a speedy recovery. Keao Monteilh is Patton's immediate replacement.

The other defensive starters are defensive ends Melila Purcell III and Ikaika Alama-Francis; rush end Kila Kamakawiwo'ole; linebackers Ikaika Curnan, Brad Kalilimoku and Tanuvasa Moe; right cornerback Ryan Keomaka; strong safety Lono Manners and free safety Leonard Peters.

Daniel Kelly is the kicker. Kurt Milne is the punter and holder. Ferguson will return punts, and Michael Washington, JoPierre Davis or Andre Taylor will return kickoffs.

THREE IN LIMBO

UH has petitioned the NCAA Clearinghouse for waivers that would allow running back Mario Cox, defensive end John Fonoti and defensive back Ulysses Dalton to practice.

The three recruits have reportedly met the eligibility requirements to play as freshmen this season. But each has had difficulty with their high school transcripts, snags that are preventing them from participating in the Warriors' practices.

For Cox, the problem can be traced to when he changed high schools after his junior year. Willie Cox Sr. said his son has met all of the academic requirements to play at UH, but still is awaiting some paperwork.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.