Spring Day 8 Wrap-Ups

Jason Kaneshiro profiles Shane Austin, who quarterbacked the scout team last fall.

"I tell those (scout team) guys, 'You're going to go against the best defense we have every day, three days at least in a game week.' ... Having a head coach (Greg McMackin) who's on the defensive side of the ball a lot, that's a great opportunity to show him you can play."

Austin, a 6-foot sophomore, developed some of that composure while staring into a veteran Warriors defense throughout the fall.

"Before everything kind of seemed blurry because everything was going so fast," he said. "But now that I got all that work I feel more comfortable when I drop back. I can feel the pocket and slide up into it. ... Everything's kind of slowing down for me now."

Stephen Tsai has an article featuring defensive lineman Chris Leatigaga, offensive tackle Adrian Thomas and receiver Jon Medeiros.

Medeiros is listed as the Warriors' No. 1 left slotback. He faces daily challenges from wideout Greg Salas, who is working at slot this spring, and Ryan Henry. "They're right on my tail," Medeiros said.

Which is why he ignores his injuries.

"I suck it up and play hard," Medeiros said. "My spot out there is on the line. I have to continue to work hard."

Leila Wai has some video from yesterday's practice. She interviews R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane, Greg McMackin and Greg Salas.

Tsai and Wai will have Inoke Funaki as their guest on the Warrior Beat Show today at 10am HST.

And Jason Kaneshiro writes about the Warriors preparing to face option teams and schemes this season.

McMackin said Central Arkansas, Washington State and UNLV — the Warriors' first three opponents — all have a form of an option scheme in their offensive packages. They'll also face Navy, coached by former UH quarterback Ken Niumatalolo, and its spread option offense in late November.

McMackin said the Warriors will put in the basics of its option defense in the spring and continue to review in the fall so it'll be ready when an option team comes up on the schedule.

"We're playing so many option teams, every week we'll have at least a 10-minute session on the option," he said.