One of the University of Hawai'i football team's top recruits yesterday received clearance to join the Warriors.

"I'm so happy," said Ryan Mouton, a four-star cornerback from Blinn College in Texas. "It's been tough the past week and a half. But it was better to get everything cleared up now than later."

Mouton was notified at about noon. A half-hour later, he arrived at UH in a taxi. He then underwent an NCAA-mandated medical examination.

At yesterday's afternoon practice, Mouton said he needed to fill out "more paperwork" before he will be allowed to practice. But he was hopeful he could work out today.

"I can't wait to get out there and practice with the guys," Mouton said.

In accordance with NCAA rules, Mouton is not allowed to wear pads for his first two practices.

Mouton needed to earn an associate degree as a requirement to play this season. He said he finished his last class on July 30.

In addition to his studies at Blinn, Mouton took an online class from Adams State College in Colorado.

It took the NCAA about two weeks to receive and then verify Mouton's transcripts.

"I was confident everything was going to be OK," Mouton said. "I didn't think I did anything wrong."

Mouton acknowledged he had to overcome several academic obstacles in recent years.

But UH defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold, who was the point man in recruiting Mouton, said: "I've known Ryan since he was a high school player. I never doubted in my mind, in my heart, that he would get it done.

"The credit goes to him," Reinebold added. "It goes to his father and mother who stood by him and paid the money so he could take classes and stay up there in junior college in the summer. Thank goodness our university stuck with him and gave him an opportunity to get his work done. Everybody has a hand in this. It hasn't been easy. But more than anyone else, Ryan deserves credit for sucking it up. I'm glad he's going to be playing the next two years in Hawai'i."

Rich Miano, who coaches the defensive backs, said Mouton will add to the competition at the corners.

"We need some fresh legs out there," Miano said. "If he's what he looks like on film, he'll immediately contribute. He has a chance to help us on special teams and defense. It's been a long wait, and we're glad to have him."

Asked if the delay will set back Mouton, UH head coach June Jones said: "He's got more than enough time to get ready."

TRANSFER MAKES DEBUT

Cornerback Calvin Roberts, who transferred from College of San Mateo, participated in his first UH practice yesterday.

Roberts' debut was delayed while his junior-college transcripts were evaluated. Roberts arrived in Hawai'i on Friday, and underwent a medical examination that afternoon.

He was not allowed to wear pads during yesterday's first full-pad practice of training camp.

Still, Roberts demonstrated quickness and good footwork during yesterday's three-hour morning practice.

"The first day was good," Roberts said. "I'm a little sore in the legs. I'm feeling good about myself."

Roberts said he spends at least two hours each day reading the defensive playbook. "There's a lot to learn," he said.

STARTING LBS SIT OUT

Starting linebackers Solomon Elimimian and Adam Leonard did not practice yesterday because of strained hamstrings.

By definition, strains involved some degree of tearing.

Elimimian was not in uniform for the morning practice. He was not required to attend the afternoon workout.

Leonard was in uniform during the linebacker drills, but then changed into regular clothes.

"It's not that bad," Leonard said, "but we'll see."

Jones said he is not concerned about both players' absence.

"They know what to do," Jones said. "They'll be all right by game day."

WARRIORS TEST TACKLES

For the second consecutive practice, Keoni Steinhoff played right tackle and Keith AhSoon was the left tackle. They had played on the opposite sides in the final week of spring training and the first week of training camp.

"We're looking at different combinations to make sure we're doing the right thing before we etch it in stone," offensive line coach Dennis McKnight said.

It appears the moves might become permanent. Steinhoff said he feels better suited for right tackle.

"On the left side, it was tougher for me because of the sets," Steinhoff said. "On the right side, I feel my sets are better. I feel I can stone them better and keep the side more solid. It's a lot better for me."

AhSoon, who played left tackle the past two seasons, said the "left is good."

The one thing that is known is Steinhoff and AhSoon are the Warriors' best tackles.

"They're the clear front-runners," McKnight said. "June wants to give them the best chance to be successful and which side they feel best on. He said, 'Let's try this for four practices.' I think it's the best the way it is now (with Steinhoff on the right and AhSoon on the left). That's just my feeling. I could be wrong. I was wrong once ... in '78, I think."

'JOKER' DEALS ON DEFENSE

Teammates are now — jokingly — referring to linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane as the Joker, a label he accepts with pride.

"They say stuff, but I don't mind," Kiesel-Kauhane said.

Kiesel-Kauhane, in fact, is playing the position of joker. When the Warriors switch to the Oky scheme — essentially a 3-4 alignment — Kiesel-Kauhane becomes the joker, which is a blitzing inside linebacker.

It is a position that fits Kiesel-Kauhane's strength and quickness.

"He's worked hard and he deserves a chance to play more," defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said.

SOMETHING FISHY ON QB

A crew from ESPN has been following quarterback Colt Brennan for the past couple of days.

On Sunday, the crew shot video of Brennan on a spearfishing venture in Kane'ohe Bay.

"I shot a tako," Brennan said proudly. "Then I shot some fish, too."

Brennan said one of his teammates baited the tako to come out of a hole in waters that were 15-feet deep.

He said he stabbed it while it was ascending.

MARTINEZ PLANS RETURN

Cornerback A.J. Martinez, who is recovering from a hip flexor, has set his return for the Warriors' fourth game of the season.

Martinez missed all of spring training because of injuries suffered in a snowboard accident during the Christmas break.

During a medical examination this summer, tests showed he had a painful hip injury.

"I'm doing all kinds of workouts now," Martinez said. "I'm not doing any drills. I'll be good to go in about a month. I don't want to rush anything. I'm looking long term, and not just football-wise."

Martinez said he is on track to earn a bachelor's degree in May. After that he plans to work in real estate or insurance.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.