Offensive lineman Derek Uperesa will join the University of Hawai'i football team in the fall.

Uperesa, who is 6 feet 6 and 350 pounds, was an offensive tackle at Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania last season. He requested — and received — a release from his Saint Francis scholarship in April.

"There were a lot of reasons, but more than half of my decision was based on football," Uperesa said. "I wanted a change."

Uperesa spent last Christmas break with relatives in Hawai'i. His cousins are Dane Uperesa, a former UH offensive tackle now with the Cincinnati Bengals, and Drew Uperesa, a Punahou School graduate who will join the Warriors in January.

While training at UH during his vacation, Derek Uperesa decided he wanted to transfer.

"I knew it was time to make a move," Uperesa said.

After receiving his scholarship release, Uperesa contacted the UH coaches.

In accordance with NCAA transfer rules, Uperesa must redshirt this season. But he will be allowed to practice with the team and attend classes. He will be a senior during the 2008 season.

"I'm glad he's going to be a Warrior," Dane Uperesa said. "He's a good player. I know he's taller than me. He's big, but he carries his weight well. It's definitely exciting to have another cousin play for Hawai'i."

The Uperesas also are related to Mana Lolotai, a linebacker who joins the Warriors this summer, and Waylon Lolotai, a UH recruit who is on a church mission. Waylon Lolotai will enroll at UH in January 2009.

Derek Uperesa was born and raised in American Samoa. He is a graduate of Samoana High School.

Uperesa said he chose Saint Francis because "I wanted to go to a different environment."

Uperesa, who answers to the nickname "Beese," moved to Hawai'i last week. He is participating in the Warriors' unsupervised summer workout program.

GETTING UP TO SPEED

Several well-known athletes will serve as guest instructors at this weekend's Hawai'i Speed and Quickness clinics at the UH athletic complex.

The clinics, which are open to all ages, run from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Each session is $10, and scholarships are available.

The fee includes instruction in plyometrics and resistance training. Each participant will receive coupons from Jamba Juice and Jack in the Box.

For details, call 739-5444 or log on to www.hawaiispeedandquickness.com.

The Hawai'i Football Clinic will be held in late July. UH head coach June Jones will be the guest speaker, and the clinics will be coached by assistants George Lumpkin, Rich Miano, Jeff Reinebold, Ron Lee, Cal Lee, Wes Suan, Dan Morrison, Dennis McKnight and Mel deLaura.

For ages 5 to 12, sessions are July 21 and 22, from 9 to 11 a.m. The $40 fee includes a T-shirt.

For ages 13 and older, the sessions are July 24 to 27, from 9 to 11 a.m. The $75 fee includes a T-shirt.

Information can be found at www.hawaiispeedandquickness.com, or by calling Doris Sullivan at (808) 261-5000, or visiting www.PacificAlliance.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.