Hawaii linebacker Benny Fonua is preparing to step up to the mike.

Fonua, a 2012 Kahuku High graduate, has returned to the active roster and will compete for playing time this week at the middle linebacker position known as "mike."

This is part of the experimental shuffle at linebacker in which TJ Taimatuia will return to the strong side, Art Laurel will switch to the weak side, and freshman Jerrol Garcia-Williams might move into a starting job.

"We’ll see how it goes," UH coach Norm Chow said. "These are the things we’re looking at."

Fonua was the Star-Advertiser state defensive player of the year as a Kahuku senior in 2011.

He did not play in the first two games this season, after which he decided to redshirt.

"I don’t believe in redshirting a guy unless we talk about it," Chow said.

After consulting with the UH coaches following a 47-0 road loss to Brigham Young, Fonua agreed to return to the active roster.

"I wouldn’t do it if he didn’t want to do it," Chow said.

Chow said Fonua is a natural fit in the Warriors’ defensive schemes.

"He’s tough," Chow said of Fonua. "He’s tough-minded. He’s studious. He’s everything you want in a football player. … He’s a natural middle."

Taimatuia, George Daily-Lyles and Brenden Daley have played middle linebacker this season.

Taimatuia had moved from strongside linebacker to the middle during spring training. UH coaches think Taimatuia will have more success on the edge, a move that will enable Laurel to go to the weak side, where his pass rushes will not be impeded by a tight end.

Garcia-Williams, a freshman from Las Vegas, is listed as the No. 1 strongside linebacker on the tentative depth chart released by UH on Monday.

"He has good instincts," Chow said of Garcia-Williams.