Two freshmen from noteworthy football families have moved into the University of Hawai'i's defensive rotation.

Kirk Alexander is competing to replace free safety Leonard Peters, who will miss at least the next six games because of a knee injury. Solomon Elimimian has emerged as an effective inside linebacker. Both practiced on the first-team defense yesterday.

Alexander's father, Kirk, played at UCLA, and his uncle, Kermit, played for the San Francisco 49ers. His cousins are All-Pro running back Shaun Alexander of the Seattle Seahawks, and UH cornerback Kenny Patton.

"My family helped me growing up, understanding the game," Alexander said.

At 6 feet 3 1/2 and 205 pounds, Alexander is the rare safety with size and speed. He also has a strong work ethic, doing 300 pushups or 300 situps before bedtime.

Elimimian, the younger brother of ex-UH cornerback Abraham Elimimian, also puts in extra work. After yesterday's practice, he ran sprints up and down an adjacent hill. "I was told I would play more, so I want to get into better shape," said Elimimian, who is 5-11, 224 pounds.

LINEMEN LIKELY TO PLAY

Starting defensive left end Melila Purcell III was on crutches yesterday because of a sore left foot. "It's minor," said Purcell, who expects to play this week.

Renolds Fruean, who was the top nose tackle before suffering a hip flexor, resumed practicing. "My hip is fine," said Fruean, who did not play last week. "I think it's fully healed. I want to play."

Inside linebacker Ikaika Curnan practiced despite two dislocated fingers on his right hand and strained right quadriceps.

Nose tackle Lawrence Wilson, who was cleared to play against Southern California, is on the 60-player travel roster to Michigan State. He said the NCAA Clearinghouse "mis-evaluated" his transcripts when he enrolled at UH this summer. "I was clear from day one," he said.

Slotback Jason Ferguson yesterday left for Los Angeles, where he will undergo knee surgery. Ferguson embraced several teammates after yesterday's practice.

"I'll be back in January," he said.

QB AKINA WILL TRAVEL

Kainoa Akina, a fifth-year senior, has made the travel roster as the third-string quarterback. It will be a homecoming of sorts for Akina, who was Eastern Michigan's starting quarterback as a freshman in 2001. "I think it'll be pretty cool," Akina said.

Despite limited playing time, Akina does not regret transferring to UH. "I'm super happy with what I have," he said. "I'm in Hawai'i."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.