For two months, Hawaii defensive back Michael Martin was on a secret assignment.

In February, coach Norm Chow told Martin he would receive a football scholarship beginning this summer.

"He said he would announce it when the time was right," Martin said.

That came last week. Martin’s teammates gave him a rousing ovation.

"Everybody was supportive and congratulating me," Martin said. "I knew two months ago."

Martin is a Saint Louis School graduate who attended Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., for two years. He transferred to UH in August 2012, spending that season as a redshirt. He played in eight games, mostly on special teams, in 2013.

Martin plays safety and nickelback and on every special-teams unit. This spring, he practiced as a No. 1 safety in place of injured Marrell Jackson.

"I love his effort," Chow said.

Defensive coordinator Kevin Clune said: "With Marrell being down, he really stepped up. He took care of business. When you can give a walk-on a scholarship, it’s a great thing."

Martin said he grew up cheering for UH.

"I’ve been watching UH since I was a little kid," Martin said. "It was kind of a dream to play for the hometown team."

Kirkwood catches on

Whenever "New Jersey" is yelled, it means wideout Keith Kirkwood has made another play.

During Saturday’s spring practice, special teams coordinator Chris Demarest screamed "New Jersey" after Kirkwood caught a 40-yard pass from Jeremy Higgins and then made a leaping grab at the 1.

Demarest recruited Kirkwood, a converted basketball player who began playing football as a Neptune (N.J.) High senior.

"That’s love right there," Kirkwood said of Demarest’s enthusiasm. "That’s my second Pops right there. Coach Demo is everything to me. He’s the one who brought me out here. He’s always encouraging me."

Kirkwood, who is 6 feet 5, weighs 210 after gaining 12 pounds since the end of the 2013 season. His goal is to be 220 for the start of training camp in August.

Redshirt year helped Long

Last June, tight end Josh Long suffered a concussion from a moped accident. He suffered headaches during camp, lost 20 pounds, and eventually redshirted.

Long regained the weight — he’s now 238 — and he had his best practice of the spring on Saturday. He caught three passes for 40 yards, including a 13-yarder for a TD from Ikaika Woolsey.

"Josh is doing a good job," Woolsey said. "He struggled in the beginning because he had to pick up the playbook. He comes out with a great attitude."

Long, who played at Riverside Community College before transferring to UH in January 2013, said the redshirt year helped him learn the offense.

"In the long term, it helped me out," Long said. "But I wouldn’t wish it that way (with an injury)."

Long has an extended work load, with tight end Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson unable to participate in contact drills because of an injured ring finger. Harold Moleni has missed some practices because of the recent birth of his son.