The University of Hawai'i football coaches are considering several ways to fill the scholarship that became available after freshman safety Geoff Hayth quit the team Friday night.

"What it does is bring into the picture somebody who's a grayshirt," said UH coach June Jones, referring to the recruits who are not scheduled to join the team until January 2007.

Jones said a grayshirt could join the team during training camp, which opened Thursday, and enroll in school before Aug. 21, the start of the fall semester.

"We'll look at the numbers," Jones said. "We'll look at the positions, where we need guys. If there's a (grayshirt) we think can help us this year, we'll do that."

Jones said he is unlikely to summon a quarterback, meaning Iolani School graduate Kiran Kepo'o still will join the team in January.

Jones also could award the scholarship to a walk-on. Candidates would include Tyson Kafentizis, who is listed as the No. 1 left outside linebacker; wideout Ian Sample, who was on scholarship last year but is paying his way this season, or defensive lineman Renolds Fruean, who did not participate in spring practice because he needed to work.

"We have to find out what's best for us right now," Jones said.

The coaches were stunned when Hayth decided to quit after Friday's practice, the first of training camp. The workout included the running of the 220s, in which players were required to run 10 220-yard sprints, with maximum lap times and rest breaks set according to a player's position. Hayth completed two 220-yard sprints. Eighty-two of 104 Warriors completed their assigned number of sprints.

Jones said Hayth, originally from Texas, was in Hawai'i for "24 hours."

"He got sick and went home," Jones added. "That quick. One night. I'm disappointed, but it's hard on some kids. He comes from a pretty solid mom and dad and everything. Obviously, he got homesick. It does happen."

In February, Hayth turned down an offer from UH to commit to the Air Force Academy. Three weeks later, he changed his mind, and instead agreed to join the Warriors.

Hayth was scheduled to grayshirt. But when openings were created on the roster, Hayth agreed to report to training camp.

After Friday's practice, Hayth met with Jones.

"Kids don't understand the opportunities they have," said UH defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville, who recruited Hayth. "I'm disappointed for him. I don't even know why he went home, but I would have tried it a little bit longer. I never got a chance to talk to him. I don't think I would have changed anything. June talked to him, and told me. That's the way life goes. I wish for him, for his sake, that he would have tried it a little longer. Home must be good if you miss it in a day."

Hayth, who is 6 feet 1 and 195 pounds, can run 40 yards in 4.4 seconds and 100 meters in 10.69 seconds. He can bench press 325 pounds.

He is a graduate of Dripping Springs High School near Austin, Texas. His family moved to Florida during the summer.

SOARES HEATING UP

Inside linebacker Blaze Soares said he is "comfortable" in his adjustment after skipping a year of playing football.

"I'm trying to absorb everything, like a sponge," he said.

As a three-time All-State linebacker at Castle High School, Soares signed a letter of intent with the Warriors in February 2005. But he did not meet the academic requirements to play as an NCAA freshman. He attended Hawai'i Pacific University, which does not field a football team, for a year to meet those requirements.

Soares watched UH's spring practice in April, but was not allowed to meet with the coaches or receive a playbook.

"I just had to watch and pick it up on my own," Soares said. "If you don't know the name of the play, it's kind of hard."

Soares is the immediate backup to Solomon Elimimian at buck linebacker, which is aligned on an offense's strong side. The buck linebacker makes the defensive calls.

"I have to work on my (pass) coverage," Soares said. "Run stoppage is my thing. Coverage is a whole different level."

Glanville said: "For a rookie, I think Blaze has something. I can't wait to see him when it's live. I think he's going to be a big help for us."

SATELE EASES IN

Samson Satele is having an easier transition, moving from left guard to center.

"He had very good day," Jones said after yesterday's two-hour practice. "The kids feed on his leadership."

Satele said he lost 20 pounds, and now weighs 305. "My stamina is much better," he said.

He said he has no trouble with the shotgun snaps.

He also has fully recovered from the 2004 surgery to repair ligament damage in his left shoulder.

"It feels like it's brand new," Satele said. Even if it weren't, "I'm never telling the coaches it's sore. The pain tolerance is (high)."

At center, the fifth-year senior must shout out the blocking schemes.

"You can hear me," he told a reporter. "When I step on the field, I like to talk a lot. Off the field, I just go home and talk to my parents and family. I'm not talkative off the field."

Under Dennis McKnight, who is tutoring the linemen, the blocking techniques have been tinkered. "I'm learning them," Satele said. "I'll be OK."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.