In a surprise move, the Hawai'i football team is going with a sleeper pick.

Jake Heun is expected to start at middle linebacker when the Warriors host fourth-ranked Boise State Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

Heun is known for his mohawk, painted toenails and grizzly-like fierceness, as well as other bearish traits.

"Jake is like a bear," said outside linebacker Blaze Soares, Heun's roommate on road trips. "He sleeps all day. He's not up very much. But when he is, he's full of energy."

Heun said: "I need my beauty rest."

Then Heun used his right index finger to draw an imaginary circle around his face. "This doesn't just happen," he said, grinning.

The native of Alaska added: "Maybe I'm thrown off by the sun being up all of the time here. What's going on with that?"

In January 2008, Heun became head coach Greg McMackin's first recruit. Signed as a power back, Heun missed the 2008 season because of a herniated disk. Since then, he has moved to rush end, outside linebacker, defensive end, middle linebacker, defensive end again and then, two weeks ago, back to middle linebacker.

He was used for three plays in the first three quarters of the past Saturday's 35-23 road loss to Idaho.

Heun joked that maybe he was overlooked because he wears No. 5.

"Maybe they thought I was a safety standing around the sideline," he said. "Or maybe they think (former UH slotback) Mike Washington is still here."

But of the decision leading to his promotion, Heun said, "they must have seen something."

Mike Smith, who helps coach the linebackers, said Heun has "that mentality and toughness you like. He's smart. We see him going out there and making plays."

What few envisioned was the pairing of the Warriors' most outlandish characters — Heun and Soares — as roommates. But they became partners in grime after a cool reception.

"With Blaze being a local boy, I was worried he would want (the hotel room) all steamy," Heun said. "I go in there and he turns the (air conditioner) all the way up to 'max.' I thought, 'I'm at home.' Maybe that's why I sleep so much. I'm hibernating."

Soares said: "We both like it cold. We try to max out the a.c. It's better. You sleep better. You don't want to get up when you're freezing."

Soares has helped Heun study the plays. Soares, Heun and outside linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane will share in the play-calling duties.

"The hitting will always be there for me," Heun said. "I'm trying to focus this week on getting lined up right and making sure everything is good. Once we're lined up right, it'll be an opportunity for R.J., Blaze and myself to go to work, and try to make this game a steppingstone to the rest of the season."

PILARES GETS AUDITION

Right slotback Kealoha Pilares worked out at left wideout yesterday.

Joe Avery is considered to be the immediate successor to left wideout Rodney Bradley, who underwent season-ending leg surgery Saturday night. But the coaches wanted Pilares to test-drive the position.

"It feels good," Pilares said. "It's less congested outside. With the inside routes, you can't really open up strides and try to gain ground. It's more about reading defenses and breaking off of (defenders). The outside, you get to use your speed more."

NOTES AND UPDATES

• Quarterback Brent Rausch, who suffered a broken right pinkie on his throwing hand 5 1/2 weeks ago, resumed throwing yesterday. Rausch has not been cleared to play in Saturday's game.

"It feels fine," Rausch said. "There's no pain. I even took a shot (yesterday)."

Rausch said he will press his doctor for clearance.

"I'd like to get my two cents, if I could," Rausch said. "I want to get involved."

• Linebacker Aaron Brown participated in conditioning drills. He still has not recovered from a badly injured right hamstring. He is expected to seek a medical hardship.

• Defensive tackle Vaughn Meatoga is walking without crutches, but he admittedly has difficulty with a sprained right ankle. He said he has been told he will miss at least two more games.