Sometime before the dawn's early light tomorrow, a young man will sign a contract that will make him officially the University of Hawai'i football team's video coordinator.

By 7 a.m., he will be 25 feet above ground, on a portable tower, shooting video of the first practice of the Warriors' spring training.

That is how swiftly times are a-changin' in the spinning UH football world.

The bittersweet taste of the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl had barely left the palate when June Jones resigned as head coach; Herman Frazier was fired as athletic director; Greg McMackin was hired as head coach; a recruiting class was signed, sealed and delivered in three weeks; brothers Ron Lee and Cal Lee were named offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively; new uniforms were designed; Jim Donovan was hired as AD, and — ta da! — spring training is set to open.

While keeping the framework of Jones' passing attack — it still will be called the four-wide offense — Ron Lee will implement elements of the running game.

Under Jones, the quarterback usually was aligned in the shotgun, 4 yards from the line of scrimmage. Now the quarterback will be asked to take more snaps from under center.

That change will open the running attack, which, in turn, should create more opportunities for the receivers.

In the shotgun, the lone running back is aligned to the side of the quarterback. That limits the running options. It also gives the defense a chance to overload the weak side.

When the quarterback takes snaps from under center, the running back can be aligned behind.

"I like it better that way," running back Daniel Libre said. "You can see more things."

Lee said: "There are a lot of advantages. The quarterback can keep an eye on the coverages. We can go on different (snap) counts. The running back can go right or left."

Inoke Funaki, who will enter as the No. 1 quarterback, said defenses used to drop as many as eight players into pass coverage. With the threat of a run, Funaki said, opponents need to keep more defenders near the line of scrimmage.

"The play-action is better when (the quarterback is) under center," Funaki said. "Hopefully, you can freeze the linebackers. It'll help the receivers get behind them."

Here's a position-by-position look at the Warriors:

QUARTERBACKS

No. 1: Inoke Funaki. Contenders: Shane Austin, Tyler Graunke, Bryce Kalauokaaea, Kiran Kepo'o, Jake Santos.

Outlook: Graunke, who successfully completed a 40-day suspension, is cleared to participate in spring ball, but not as the No. 1 quarterback. That spot goes to Funaki, who was No. 3 last season. "Who doesn't want to be the No. 1 guy?" Funaki said. "I put a lot of pressure on myself, too, knowing the coaches have me as the No. 1 guy. I want to be as best prepared as I can be. It's good pressure. Sometimes I'll be sitting around the house, and I'll get up and go running."

The previous nine seasons, the UH quarterbacks mostly operated out of a shotgun. This spring, they will work on taking snaps from under center. In the shotgun, defenses often would shift while the snap was in flight. Under center, the quarterback does not have to take his eyes off the defense while taking the snap. The key will be to learn the proper footwork to retreat quickly into the pocket. "It might be tough in the beginning, but it will be worth it," Funaki said.

Story: Funaki has proved he can cut it. When he was in middle school, the neighborhood barber died. One day his mother brought home a pair of clippers. And that was when Funaki first began to cut his own hair. There were some rough cuts early, forcing him to wear a hat. "There were a lot of interesting haircuts," Funaki said. The experience has become a metaphor for his UH career. "Like a lot of things, if you do it over and over, eventually you get muscle memory," he said. "You learn through trial and error, but eventually you'll get better."

RUNNING BACKS

Nos. 1: Daniel Libre and Leon Wright-Jackson. Contenders: Camron Carmona, Alonzo Chopp, Mario Cox, David Farmer, Jake Heun, Jayson Rego, Korey Reynolds.

Outlook: Who could have envisioned that Libre, who was cut once from the team, would emerge as one of the top backs? Certainly not Libre, whose natural vision had deteriorated. At the urging of trainer Eric Okasaki, Libre underwent LASIK surgery last year. Libre's grandparents founded Aloha Laser Vision, previously known as Faulkner Eye Care. The treatment helped Libre find the running lanes. Last year, he averaged 8.3 yards per carry, as well as 1.3 broken tackles per rush.

Libre and Wright-Jackson enter spring practice as the co-No. 1 backs. Farmer, an effective blocker, and Cox, who was suspended for the final three games of the regular season, are the top backups. An intriguing prospect is Heun, who was a short-yardage runner at City College of San Francisco last year. Heun, who played mostly outside linebacker, will try to make the transition to full-time fullback.

Story: During his spare time, which has been precious and few, Wright-Jackson studies football videos of tall running backs, such as Adrian Peterson and Darren McFadden. "I like to watch and learn," said Wright-Jackson, who is 6 feet 1. "There's no harm in learning." It was a highlight video — his own, which is available on Youtube — that had UH fans expecting the next Eric Dickerson last year. But Wright-Jackson, who did not play in 2006 after transferring from Nebraska, had a bumpy transition to the four-wide offense. While he fell out of the running back rotation by the end of the 2007 season, he retained at least one fan — Ron Lee, now UH's offensive coordinator. Lee said he expects Wright-Jackson to be a top back this season. "Last spring, I wasn't here, I was at my (junior college), trying to get my AA (degree)," Wright-Jackson said. "I feel comfortable now. I'm constantly in the weight room. I've been hanging out with my teammates as much as possible. I know what the team team expects of me. I'm going to leave it in God's hands, then see what happens."

RECEIVERS

Left wideouts — No. 1: Greg Salas. Contenders: Joe Avery, Jimmy Flanagan, Jett Jasper, Daniel Lofton.

Left slotbacks — No. 1: Michael Washington. Contenders: Jon Medeiros, Nate Nasca, Benedict Noy, Miah Ostrowski.

Right slotbacks — No. 1: Aaron Bain. Contenders: Kealoha Pilares, Eric Shaffer, Rick Taylor.

Right wideouts — No. 1: Malcolm Lane. Contenders: Troy Lauduski, Dylan Linkner, Royce Pollard.

Outlook: Last year's four starting receivers have moved on, but the projected replacements are experienced. Seniors Washington and Bain and junior Lane have not redshirted. Salas, who has gained 20 pounds and now weighs 205, enters as the top left wideout. Pilares, who led the Warriors with 388 rushing yards last season, moves to slotback, where he should excel in the open field. Pilares caught a team-high 81 percent of the passes thrown in his direction last season. He had only two drops. In this version of the four-wide offense, the receivers will be given more options on routes. Last year, they ran mostly predetermined patterns.

Story: Salas spent spring break at the family home in California. Thing was, his father was on the road at the time. "Bad timing," Mark Salas said. His son is expected to have better connections in spring practice. After one year redshirting and another as Jason Rivers' backup, Salas has been promoted to the first team. This time, he is more focused — a wakeup call that went off in the middle of last season. "Coach (Jones) got to me a couple of times in practice, telling me to pick up my play," Salas said. After that, he put in extra workouts after practices and during his free time. During practices, "I gave it 100 percent," Salas said. He maintained the pace during offseason workouts. Even during his spring break, he worked out with a trainer in California. "It's a new year, a different year," Salas said.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Left tackles — No. 1: Ray Hisatake or Laupepa Letuli. Contenders: Clayton Laurel, Les Soloai, Drew Uperesa.

Left guards — No. 1: Keith AhSoon. Contenders: Brysen Ginlack, Levi Legay, Nathan McKay.

Centers — No. 1: John Estes. Contender: Austin Hansen.

Right guards — No. 1: Clarence "Lafu" Tuioti-Mariner. Contenders: Raphael Ieru, Sila Lefiti, Jared Lene, Joey Lipp.

Right tackles — No. 1: Keoni Steinhoff. Contenders: Cameron Allen-Jones, Aaron Kia, Adrian Thomas.

Utility — Andrew Faaumu, Daniel Johnson, Lucas Kennard, Elmer Lim, Daniel Otineru.

Outlook: A few experiments will be conducted in spring training. AhSoon, who started 13 games at left tackle last season, moves to left guard. Hisatake, who redshirted last season, and Letuli, a fourth-year junior, were expected to compete at left tackle. But Letuli and center Estes suffered pulled hamstrings during the 40-yard sprints last week. Letuli hopes to resume practicing Thursday, although he most likely will have to wait at least a week. During his UH career, Letuli has played tackle, guard, running back, tight end and defensive end. Tuioti-Mariner, who was the top center last spring, opens as the first-team right guard.

Story: Tuioti-Mariner knows squat. "Squatting is my main thing," said Tuioti-Mariner, who squat-lifted 610 pounds during team testing two weeks ago, 110 pounds more than the runner-up. "Look at my legs. They're the biggest legs on the team." His lower-body strength can be found in the genes. His father, who competed in volleyball at the South Pacific Games, had a 45-inch vertical jump. Tuioti-Mariner, who is under 6 feet, uses his leg strength to gain leverage against taller defensive linemen. After a year redshirting and three as a backup, Tuioti-Mariner enters the spring as the top right guard. "I'm not going to take it for granted," he said. "I'm still going to work hard. I'm a senior. I want to make it the best for my last year."

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Left ends — No. 1: David Veikune. Contenders: C.J. Allen-Jones, Antwan "Tua" Mahaley, Alasi Toilolo.

Left tackles — No. 1: Fale Laeli. Contenders: Josh Leonard, Vaughn Meatoga, Rocky Savaiigaea.

Right tackles — No. 1: Keala Watson. Contenders: Quentin Beaver, Chris Leatigaga, Tuika Tufaga, Keahi Watson.

Right ends — No. 1: John Fonoti. Contenders: Victor Clore, Francis Maka, Bo Montgomery, Elliott Purcell.

Outlook: Veikune was so productive as a reserve last season he was named to the All-Western Athletic Conference first team. Of his 34 tackles, 8.5 were in the backfield. He had seven sacks. Fonoti, finally injury free, is the top right end. Laeli, who is the No. 1 left tackle, will not participate in contact drills while recovering from knee surgery. That will give Leonard and Savaiigaea more reps. Two non-scholarship players from Kahuku High, Tufaga and Beaver, will serve as apprentices to Keala Watson. Tufaga benched 435 pounds and Beaver lifted 425.

Story: Life is good — but no longer sweet — for Veikune. The past few months, he has added nutritional supplements to his diet and cut out fatty food and candy. "I always liked candy," Veikune said. "I used to eat it a lot." Two years ago, Veikune needed to gain weight to play end in Jerry Glanville's 3-4 scheme. Last year, Greg McMackin implemented a 4-3 defense that required more agile ends. "For the 3-4 (defense), I would go to 7-Eleven and grab a lot of fast food," he recalled. "It was just fast food and candy. I loved Twix and Reese's. John (Fonoti) and Brashton (Satele) used to see me grab a lot of candy, and they'd make fun of me. That's not my diet anymore." Veikune, who is 6 feet 2, lost 25 pounds and now weighs 255. Yet he bench pressed a team-high 455 pounds, and ran 6.98 seconds in the L-test. He was so serious about his sprint workouts he wore Spandex pants. "Any little piece of friction I wanted to get off my body," he said.

LINEBACKERS

Outside — Nos. 1: Adam Leonard, Blaze Soares. Contenders: Po'okela Ahmad, Tyson Kafentzis, R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane, Kevin Konrath, Erik Pedersen, Joshua Rice, Luke Rice.

Middle — No. 1: Solomon Elimimian. Contenders: Mana Lolotai, Cory Paredes, Brashton Satele.

Outlook: Credit Leonard and Soares for playing despite injuries last season. Leonard was recovering from offseason knee surgery when he reported to training camp in August. He played almost the entire season with a broken right thumb. Soares had a shoulder injury that made it impossible to hail a cab. Soares opted not to undergo surgery after the Sugar Bowl, hoping treatment and rest will improve the condition. Last year the outside linebackers were assigned to the left and right. This time, they will be designated strong (on the tight end's side of the formation) and weak. Soares will be on the strong side; Leonard on the weak side.

Story: In recent years, it would not have been a surprise to see "Brashton Satele" appear in a medical dictionary. A variety of injuries kept Satele from fulfilling the promise expected of the offspring of one of UH's top linebackers (Alvis Satele) and volleyball players (the former Lee Ann Pestana). Several times last season, there were discussions to move Satele to running back. But his play on special teams near the end of last season and his commitment to the offseason conditioning program boosted his stock. In team testing, he squat-lifted 455 pounds, a 140-pound improvement from a year ago. "He's been unfortunate," defensive coordinator Cal Lee said of Satele's medical history. "This year people will see the Satele we recruited." Satele said he worked out with former teammates Hercules Satele, Mike Lafaele and Timo Paepule. He also lifted on Fridays, the scheduled offseason off day. "I want to get on the field," he said. "I miss it."

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Left cornerbacks — No. 1: Ryan Mouton. Contenders: MacArthur Cheek, Calvin Roberts, Steve Stepter, Richard Torres.

Right cornerbacks — No. 1: JoPierre Davis. Contenders: Jameel Dowling, Ryan Perry, Chris Thorpe.

Strong safeties — Nos. 1: Keao Monteilh, Erik Robinson. Contenders: Josh Aufai, Kimo Leung-Choi, Evan Miller, Viliami Nauahi, Khevin Peoples, Mana Silva, Spencer Smith, Devion Volta-Johnson.

Free safeties — No. 1: Desmond Thomas. Contenders: Kenny Estes, Le'Marcus Gibson, Dane Kealoha Porlas.

Outlook: Both of last season's starting cornerbacks completed their eligibility, but the top cover defender, Mouton, returns for his senior season. "He's the best corner we've had in the last nine years," associate head coach Rich Miano said. "He's athletic. He has legit 4.3 speed (in the 40-yard dash)." In team testing, Mouton had a vertical jump of 39 inches and a broad jump of 10 feet, 5 inches. He played nickelback with a sore knee, and against Washington, he was used as free safety without having practiced at that position. Dowling, who transferred from Oregon, will compete at cornerback.

The coaches consider Monteilh, Robinson and Thomas as No. 1 safeties, even though there are only two positions. Monteilh, who can play both spots, has recovered from a torn left scapula, evidenced by his 315-pound bench press. Thomas, who was limited because of a hip flexor last season, had a 35 1/2-inch vertical jump in team testing. Robinson won't practice this spring while recovering from shoulder surgery, but Gibson, who had knee surgery in October, expects to be cleared for non-contact drills. Keep an eye on Silva, a transfer from Oregon State and former all-star quarterback from Kamehameha-Hawai'i.

Story: Roberts reported to last year's training camp late while waiting for academic clearance, and he spent the rest of the season trying to catch up. "It was frustrating at times," Roberts said. "I knew I would get my opportunity if I worked extra hard, kept working out and prayed to the man upstairs." His offseason training has impressed coaches, and Roberts is expected to work his way into the cornerback rotation. As part of his training, Roberts ran up Koko Head Crater. "It was really nice up there," he said. "We saw Moloka'i. I liked the view." Indeed, he is enjoying the view from the top these days.

SPECIALISTS

Long-snapper — Jake Ingram. Kicker — Dan Kelly. Punter — Tim Grasso (reports in fall).

Visit Tsai's blog at www.HawaiiWarriorBeat.com.