Although part of the Jet set, former University of Hawai'i safety Leonard Peters remains grounded.

While training with the New York Jets, Peters maintained daily contact with his friends and family in Hawai'i.

He also continued his practice of attending a Mormon church every Sunday.

"There's one real close to the facilities," he said.

And tomorrow Peters, who is in town for two weeks, will serve as a guest instructor at the Hawai'i Speed and Quickness clinic at the UH athletic complex.

"I always like helping the kids," Peters said. "Some of them have been going (to the clinic) for several years. It's like watching them grow up. I'm happy to go back and see how those kids progressed, how they got better in running and jumping."

Peters has always been one of the clinic's most popular instructors.

"I actually look up to the kids," Peters said. "The generation now ... it's so much harder to stay out of trouble and do the right thing. That's why I admire the kids who take the time to come out and try to get better. It beats playing video games all day. It's good to listen to their stories."

Peters' autobiography also has a feel-good tone. The undrafted Peters signed a free-agent contract with the Jets in April.

Peters was admittedly nervous when he first participated in team workouts.

"It's a big step in life," he said. "The biggest thing between pro and college football is in college you have four years to learn the system. In the NFL, you've got one day to learn the system. If they don't like what they see, they'll ship you out. In a half hour, they'll have a replacement for you. It's all business now. It's been good for me so far."

In the Jets' defensive system, the safeties are divided into left or right, not strong or free.

"I like that," Peters said, noting the Warriors used a similar system. "The good thing about our defense is the safeties are included in a lot of the packages we run."

Peters is incorrectly listed as weighing 199 pounds on the Jets' roster. In fact, he weighed 225 during mini-camp. He has lost weight since, and plans to weigh 205 for the start of training camp.

"The NFL doesn't care how big you are," Peters said. "All they care about is speed. Speed is the key."

Peters said he is adjusting to life in the city that never sleeps — sort of.

"It's six hours ahead in New York," Peters said. "People call me at all different hours."

But he said the Big Apple is a "totally different place than Hawai'i. It's unbelievable how many people live in one city. I've gotten to know the places to go and eat."

"I'm glad we have some Polynesians there to help me out. Kimo vonOelhoffen (a defensive tackle who was raised on Moloka'i) has been in the league for 14 years, and he's helped me out a lot. He told me the things to do."

This weekend's Speed and Quickness sessions are from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and open to all ages. The $10 entry fee also includes Jamba Juice and Jack in the Box coupons.

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

CLINIC COMING SOON

Applications are being accepted for the Hawai'i Football Clinic.

University of Hawai'i coaches June Jones, George Lumpkin, Rich Miano, Jeff Reinebold, Dan Morrison, Ron Lee, Cal Lee, Dennis McKnight, Wes Suan and Mel deLaura will be the guest instructors.

The clinic is divided into two segments — July 21 to 22 for ages 5 to 12, and July 24 to 27 for ages 13 and older. Both sessions are 9 to 11 a.m.

For ages 5 to 12, the fees are $40 for individuals and $30 each for groups of 10 or more. For the older participants, fees are $75 for individuals and $60 apiece for groups of 15 or more.

For information or credit card options, call Doris Sullivan at 261-5000 or log on to www.PacificAthleticAlliance.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.