Medeiros getting noticed in the slot

Slotback is a loaded position at Hawaii, but transfer Jon Medeiros opened eyes in spring camp, and continues to look good in informal workouts.

Last Thursday, Medeiros was in sync with Warriors quarterbacks Colt Brennan and Tyler Graunke during an afternoon session at the soccer practice field.

"Ryan (Grice-Mullins), Davone (Bess), Aaron Bain, Mike Washington. They're all great slotbacks. I'm going to have to pay my dues first," Medeiros said. "They're great athletes. Hopefully I can work my way up. I'm going to keep working hard and do what I gotta do."

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound 2005 Kapolei High School graduate transferred to UH from Western Oregon last year. At Kapolei, he shared the quarterback spot with Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who is now the starter at Navy.

"We were the two-headed monster," Medeiros said. "At (Western Oregon), I figured I was too small to play QB, so I tried something new and played slotback. From there I made my transfer because tuition was too much over there. Figured I'd give it a shot here at slotback. Fortunately, it's working out for me."

Medeiros was mentioned several times by head coach June Jones and receivers coach Ron Lee for strong performances during spring practice.

Duffield to join staff: Terry "Duff" Duffield is poised to join the UH staff as a defensive graduate assistant, Jones said.

Duffield, a former assistant at Dixie State and Eastern Arizona, just needs to finish two classes before this fall to earn his bachelor's degree and qualify to be a GA.

Jones mum on contract: Jones declined comment on his upcoming contract negotiations.

"I'll talk about it when it's done," Jones said.

Last week, athletic director Herman Frazier said a draft has been prepared for UH's proposal for a new multi-year deal for the ninth-year coach.

Jones' current $4-million, five-year deal ends next July.

Patek bulks up: Senior Jake Patek has put on just a few pounds, but the hard-hitting safety looks significantly stronger than he did when he arrived at UH from Blinn JC last year -- and he hopes to keep the weight on throughout the season this time.

"It's quality, not quantity. I've been hitting the weights pretty hard, put on about six or seven pounds. It's mainly muscle. I'm 208 now," said Patek, who is 6-feet tall. "Last year I got down to 192 by the bowl game. I was 208 when I came here, but I was like all nasty, fat, slow, just sloppy, sloppy weight. Now I'm putting on a little more muscle."