Medeiros catching on

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Back in high school, Jon Medeiros was known as the passing threat in Kapolei's dual-quarterback offense, while Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada was dangerous running the option and as a receiver.

Now that they're in college, Kaheaku-Enhada has established himself as Navy's quarterback, while Medeiros has been among Hawaii's more reliable receivers in fall camp.

"It gave me a better understanding," said Medeiros, whose background reading defenses as a quarterback continues to be an asset as a receiver in the run-and-shoot. "High school and college defenses are a lot different, alignments are a lot different, but it did help me out.

After playing in just one game last year, Medeiros is in position to break into UH's slotback rotation this season. The junior is currently running with the second team behind Mike Washington and Aaron Bain.

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It's been years since Jon Medeiros called out signals from behind center.

Jon Medeiros: Kapolei graduate is playing with the second unit at slotback

But his background as a quarterback still comes in handy.

As a former high school quarterback, Medeiros learned the nuances of reading defenses. As a slotback in Hawaii's run-and-shoot system, that ability to recognize coverages remains valuable.

"It helps out a lot," the Kapolei graduate said after a recent practice in Manoa. "When I first came here I was able to read coverages pretty quick because we ran an offense in high school pretty similar to this one, similar to Saint Louis' (offense). My understanding of what the quarterback goes through in the offense adapts to me (as a receiver)."

Medeiros' aptitude before the snap and his knack for finding soft spots in the secondary have helped him carve out a regular place in the slotback rotation as the Warriors head toward Saturday's season opener at No. 5 Florida.

Medeiros, a 5-foot-9 junior, has been running with the second unit in practices as he and Kealoha Pilares back up seniors Mike Washington and Aaron Bain.

"First of all, he's smart," UH offensive coordinator Ron Lee said. "I liked what he did (last Wednesday) when we went live, caught the ball in a crowd, found the open areas. He knows the system.

"Kealoha and Jon are coming, they're right there. I wouldn't be afraid to have them play. We're going to have to use them, so they're coming along nicely."

After graduating from Kapolei, Medeiros spent a year at Western Oregon University. He transferred to UH and saw action in just one game last year, catching a single pass, buried on a depth chart topped by Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins.

With the duo leaving after their junior seasons and with a year in the system, Medeiros is among the slotbacks looking for an increased role in the offense.

"Like Coach (Greg McMackin) says, it takes a lot of reps in order to get this stuff down on offense as far as receivers and QBs," Medeiros said.

"It's more getting a feel for knowing where people are on the field before the snap of the ball. Confidence is a big thing too - the more reps you get the more confident you get catching the ball, running your route."

Medeiros cultivated his ability to decipher defenses while playing quarterback at Kapolei, where he split snaps with current Navy signal-caller Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada as a sophomore and junior.

While Kaheaku-Enhada, who also played receiver, was more suited to running the option phase of the Hurricanes' attack, Medeiros was known as the passing threat. He threw for 13 touchdowns against four interceptions in helping Kapolei to the OIA White title as a junior.

But as a senior, his focus turned to running the option after Kaheaku-Enhada graduated.

"He was so versatile he was able to fill both roles for us," Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said.

"He just lives and breathes football. He's the kind of kid you love to coach. ... So I'm not surprised he's finding his niche (at UH) as a receiver. He's not the biggest or the fastest guy around. He's all guts and heart and guile and finds a way to make it happen."

Although Kapolei is still a relatively young school, Medeiros is among a group of former Hurricanes establishing themselves in college football.

Joining Medeiros on the UH roster are linebacker Pookela Ahmad, who has been playing on the second unit of late, and defensive end Alasi Toilolo. Ikaika Aken-Moleta is expected to start at right guard on San Diego State's offensive line. Mike Matamua was also slated to start for the Aztecs at left tackle before being sidelined with a foot injury.

Meanwhile, Kaheaku-Enhada is entering his senior season at Navy, playing under former UH QB Ken Niumatalolo. He led the Midshipmen to an 8-4 season last year that included a triple-overtime win over Notre Dame.

"I'm very proud of him," Medeiros said. "It's kind of a trip to know the same person who was playing quarterback with me is doing it big in college, beating Notre Dame last year. I was real happy for him."

The way things are going, looks like Medeiros will soon get his shot to make an impact as well.