Quarterback Tyler Graunke yesterday was reinstated to the Hawai'i football team after serving a 40-day suspension for breaking team-related rules.

"I had to do my part, and I'm back," said Graunke, who will join teammates today in the offseason conditioning program. "Everything is behind us."

After three seasons as the top understudy, Graunke was expected to be the successor to Heisman Trophy finalist Colt Brennan.

But on Feb. 7, UH head coach Greg McMackin suspended Graunke. Graunke, who will be a fifth-year senior this coming season, acknowledged the punishment was mostly related to academics.

Graunke said he needed to clear up that situation, as well as complete university-imposed community service for an off-field situation. He helped maintain the Lower Campus as his community service.

While suspended, Graunke was not allowed to participate in any team-related activity, including the off-season conditioning program. But he was granted an exemption to attend a ceremony during which Western Athletic Conference championship rings were distributed.

"It was really depressing to not be around the team when I'm supposed to be a leader," Graunke said.

Graunke said he worked out on his own. He said he recently was measured as being 6 feet — "barefoot," he said. He weighs 192 pounds.

"I want to put on 10 more pounds, maybe (get up to) 205," he said. "That would be cool."

During Graunke's suspension, it was announced Inoke Funaki would enter spring practice as the No. 1 quarterback. The first of the 15 days of spring practice is March 31.

"If I have to start on the bottom of the depth chart again, it's not going to bother me," Graunke said. "I've done it before. I'm willing to accept any challenge."

Graunke said the suspension was "definitely discouraging and kind of depressing. Actually, the last month has been really tough for me. I should have come back a lot quicker. But things happen. I'm glad to be back on before spring practice. I'm going to work hard to prove to the guys I'm their guy."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.