The University of Hawai'i football team's depth at the cornerback position may not be fully measured until junior college transfers Ryan Mouton and Calvin Roberts, both awaiting certification of their transcripts, are cleared to join the team.

But the absence of the two, and of senior Ryan Keomaka, who is taking time off for personal reasons, has provided an opportunity for junior Keenan Jones and sophomore JoPierre Davis to get some valuable reps and make their case for playing time this season.

Myron Newberry and Gerard Lewis have established themselves as the No. 1 cornerbacks, but Jones and Davis have spent the past week of practice trying to prove that they are ready to carry some of the load.

Jones, in particular, has much to prove on and off the field. He was suspended last spring after missing mandatory meetings and training sessions and was later stripped of his football scholarship.

"Keenan is a very talented kid but he's got to show that he can pay attention to detail," said head coach June Jones. "He's got to be accountable, be on time. If he does these things, he has a chance to play for us this year."

Jones, who was cleared to practice last week, said he values the chance to be a part of the team in body as well as spirit.

"It's just fun to get out there and not just look on from the sidelines," he said. "When you're not playing, you might be a part of the team but it's different. Being out there, you really get that emotion and camaraderie. I finally get to show what I can do, and that's where trust is built."

Jones said he's beginning to regain his conditioning and explosiveness. The increased practice reps have also accelerated his understanding of the team's new defensive schemes.

"I'm more of a hands-on type of person," he said. "I followed along pretty good before, but I can really pick it up by doing it on the field."

Davis, a standout running back coming out of Balboa High School in San Francisco, put himself in good position to take advantage of his expanded practice minutes by recasting his body over the summer.

He retained his 197-pound playing weight, but added strength and size in the right places with a workout regimen heavy on core work and high-rep squats.

"I guess I grew a little but I didn't even realize it until I put the pads on for practice the first time," Davis said. "I'm probably in the best shape I've ever been in."

Davis said the practice reps have allowed him to better absorb the intricacies of Hawai'i's defensive schemes and to grasp the schemes of upcoming UH opponents mimicked by the scout team.

"What I really want, though, is game experience," Davis said. "When you practice, it's your team and you can't throw your body around the way you want to.

"I want to make the most of my reps and give the coaches a chance to see that I'm the best guy for the job."

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.