• Photo gallery: UH football practice: August 26, 2011

Scott Harding’s grin masked the aches in his shins.

Friday morning, Harding was named the Hawaii football team’s No. 1 punt returner. He also has secured the blocking back’s job on kickoff returns.

"These kinds of things can change, especially if I have a drop," Harding said.

Head coach Greg McMackin does not anticipate any switches before next Saturday’s opener against Colorado.

"He catches everything," McMackin said of Harding. "That’s what we want from our punt returner."

It has been a rapid ascent for the 24-year-old Harding, who retired earlier this year after six seasons as a professional Australian rules football player. Because the Australian and American versions are considered to be separate sports, Harding was deemed an amateur after accepting a scholarship offer from the Warriors.

The Warriors were out of initial scholarships for the 2011 season, so Harding was asked to join in January 2012. Instead, Harding decided to pay for tuition and school expenses, a move that allows him to play for the Warriors this season.

Harding does not expect to have difficulty making the transition to NCAA football. In Australia, a team’s 22-game season was played over 24 weeks. He played in a 100,000-seat stadium before crowds of 70,000, and in "community games" in rural areas.

In the first week of training camp, he proved to be one of the more sure-handed players.

He has practiced as a punt returner, kickoff returner and slotback.

"I grew up playing catch with the football," Harding said. "The difference is the spiral coming down."

He said the American football is more "pointy" at the ends.

"It’s not really that much of a difference," Harding said.

During his career in Australia, he suffered shin splints in training camp.

"It’s a bit of my feet structurally, and running," he said. "It usually goes away in a few weeks."

He said he began experiencing similar problems two weeks ago. With ice treatments, the pain has subsided. He said he has occasional aches.

"Those will go away," he said. "I’ll be ready."

McMackin said Mike Edwards will be the primary kickoff returner. Harding will be aligned to the side.

"I pretty much run and try to find a hole for the returner," he said. "Sometimes I can return, too."