Although he’s wearing a different color practice jersey, Justin Vele’s core job requirement hasn’t changed much. Raised as a linebacker, Vele switched over to offense last spring and has since developed into the University of Hawaii football team’s top fullback.

Vele knows his role as lead blocker won’t net him many, if any, carries. But "it’s OK," he said, "as long as I’m hitting somebody."

Vele’s playing time is contingent on the personnel groupings the coaches call for, as the Warriors can go with a fullback, an extra tight end or another receiver depending on the play.

Vele wasn’t part of the Warriors’ travel roster to open the season but has worked his way into a regular role on offense and special teams over the past three games and will be on the flight when the Warriors (1-3) depart today in advance of Saturday’s Mountain West Conference game at San Diego State.

Having never played fullback before spring practice, mastering the position is an ongoing process. But Vele’s primary assignment mirrors that of his previous position, stepping forward to take on defenders as a run blocker or in pass protection rather than taking down ballcarriers.

"It’s really similar (to playing linebacker), you’re going downhill, you’re blocking somebody as if you’re going to tackle somebody," Vele said. "It’s pretty cool."

Vele’s mind-set was "defense at heart, defense for life," through his high school career at Farrington and his first year of college, but he was asked to switch to offense when the Warriors were running low at fullback late in spring practice.

"My family was just telling me to have fun," Vele said. "I kept talking to my dad, kept praying, kept going to church, getting advice. You just have to have fun when you have an opportunity to play. It’s a blessing just to play football."

With UH implementing a fullback into some of its packages, the coaches saw potential in the 6-foot, 240-pound freshman in that role.

"No. 1, it’s physical, so he fits that mold," UH running backs coach Keith Uperesa said. "No. 2, it’s athleticism, and being a linebacker he’s pretty athletic for his size.

"We approached him in the spring about an opportunity to help us out. He didn’t balk, didn’t complain and took advantage of it. … It gives us a little different look."

Vele was an integral part of Farrington’s defense for three years, amassing 384 tackles in his career with 13 interceptions and four touchdowns. He ended his run as a first-team All-State selection. But statistics don’t completely define his legacy with the Governors.

"He was a very mature leader even at a young age," Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said. "He was very respectful and he was the guy who would get all of the other players together. …He wasn’t ashamed to step forward and let them know, and he uses his words well."

Vele now represents the Governors on the UH roster along with fellow redshirt freshman Lance Williams, who has also seen playing time at linebacker and on special teams.

"We have a really close connection," Vele said. "We’re still close right now even though he’s on the other side of the ball."

Backfield moves

Jared Leaf, another redshirt freshman, has also played fullback this season but took some reps at running back this week. Uperesa said he wanted to give Leaf some work to give the Warriors a little more depth at the position with Joey Iosefa’s status still questionable due to a foot injury. John Lister and Will Gregory have started the past two games at running back.

WARRIORS EXPECT BRIGHT BACK

University of Hawaii receiver Darius Bright is expected to make his return to action in Saturday’s game at San Diego State after missing the past two games with a shoulder injury.

Bright was part of the receiver rotation at practices this week and was included on the travel roster for today’s trip to San Diego.

"It’s healed enough that he wants to go," UH head coach Norm Chow said. "He’s a big receiver and I’ve always liked big receivers."

Bright, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound senior, made his last appearance in UH’s win over Lamar on Sept. 15. He started at wideout in that game and injured his shoulder while making his lone reception of the season to date, an 8-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.

Injuries have hampered Bright over the past two years. He caught 19 passes in seven games last season, and his return adds depth to a receiver corps that lost Justin Clapp for at least three games due to a knee injury he suffered last week.

The Warriors are scheduled to depart this afternoon on their second road trip in as many weeks.

–Jason Kaneshiro, Star-Advertiser