After a summer of planning and three weeks of evaluations, the University of Hawai'i football coaching staff has decided on a lineup that should provide many happy returns.

UH coach June Jones yesterday announced that the top returners will be sophomore Jason Ferguson on punts, and freshmen Michael Washington and JoPierre Davis on kickoffs.

"That's sweet," said Ferguson, who was last season's backup to All-America returner Chad Owens. "I'm hyped. I guess (coach Jones) felt it was my turn. He knows I want the opportunity. He knows I want to be on the field the whole game. It's his decision, so I didn't say anything, but he knows I really want to do it."

Last year, Ferguson was more successful on kickoffs, averaging 21.2 yards on 10 returns. His two punt returns netted negative 2 yards.

As a high school junior in Los Angeles, Ferguson ran 40 yards in 4.3 seconds. After surgery to repair torn knee ligaments, Ferguson's 40-time rose to 4.5 seconds. But UH graduate assistant Jeff Reinebold, who tutors the returners, said Ferguson is instinctive and elusive.

"He's not the fastest guy in the world, but neither was Chad," Reinebold said. "Some of the best returners I've seen were guys who maybe couldn't beat you on the track in the 40-yard dash, but you couldn't tackle them in a phone booth. I think that's what Jason gives us, plus he's very sure-handed and fearless."

Reinebold said the Warriors are developing some schemes that will create elbow room for Ferguson, who is 5 feet 5 1/2 and 165 pounds.

"You get a guy like Ferg in the open field, people are going to have some fun watching him," Reinebold said.

Of the opportunity, Ferguson said: "I've been doing this since I was 10. ... You watch film, but a lot of it is natural. It's vision, and doing what your body tells you to do. I don't think. I just react. It's hard to explain. You follow your blocks, but at the same time, in the open field, you try to make people miss."

Washington, who once was timed sprinting 40 yards in 4.27 seconds, could be the first Warrior to touch the football in the Sept. 3 season opener against Southern California. He appears to have a slight edge over Davis.

"If I can get a chance against USC, it will be a blessing come true," Washington said.

Reinebold said Washington is trying to make the transition "from being a high school football player to being a Division I college football player. That's a big step, just like it's a big step for Chad Owens to go from here to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It can be done, but we have to do everything in our power to give him as much of a feel."

Washington has studied videotapes of kickoff coverages. After each kick return in practice, he receives an immediate evaluation from Reinebold. He receives a complete report during afternoon meetings. Reinebold said the practices and study sessions can prepare — but not fully simulate — a game's kick return.

"It's like fighter-pilot training," Reinebold said. "You can't go to the point where you're shooting things down, but we have to get right to the moment of truth. When it comes time for him to line up, hopefully against SC, he will feel like he's been there before."

Reinebold said Washington is learning how to balance quickness and craftiness.

"Michael has to understand there are 10 guys on the field now who are all fast and all big and can get to the ball," Reinebold said. "The high school guys that you might be able to shake and make miss, you're not going to have an opportunity to do that very often. You have to know when to use your speed and when to use your moves."

Washington said: "The coaches are making sure I get to the hole and, after that, let God-given talent do the rest."

And there are moments, such as during Tuesday's 6-on-7 passing drill, when the coaches feel justified in placing their trust in the 5-7, 160-pound freshman.

Aligned as the left wideout, Washington "caught a little hitch in the two-minute (drill), and made (cornerback) Omega Hogan miss him in the open field," Reinebold recalled. "Now (Hogan is) a pretty good tackler. When you see that, you know that guy has a chance to be very special."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.