Andre Taylor does not appear in the University of Hawai'i football team's 2005 media guide nor on the roster posted on the school's Web site.

"Nobody knows who I am," said Taylor, who recently transferred from Santa Rosa (Calif.) Junior College.

But for Saturday's road game against Michigan State, Taylor's name appears at the top of the depth chart as the punt and kickoff returner.

Taylor drew attention — and an employment offer — after returning a kickoff 40 yards against top-ranked Southern California last Saturday.

"He's doing a good job, and he deserves a chance," UH coach June Jones said.

Jeff Reinebold, a graduate assistant who assists with special teams, said: "The biggest thing about Andre is he has a returner's personality. He believes he can do it."

UH rolled out the beige carpet for Taylor's arrival this summer. As a walk-on, he uses loans and financial aid to pay for his tuition, room and board. Although he is listed as a wideout, he was assigned a running back's number (27).

"It was like, 'OK, I guess I have to make a name for myself,' " he recalled thinking.

In the first three weeks of preseason training camp, most of the wideouts were asked to run pass routes. Taylor was assigned to the scout team.

"I didn't get an opportunity to get any reps," he said. "I was on the scout team. Those were my reps."

But Taylor became the guest who wouldn't leave, pestering Reinebold for an opportunity to return kickoffs.

"When he was on the bottom of the depth chart, he really wasn't a guy we were thinking about for the kickoff return position," Reinebold said. "He walked up and said, 'I need to return kickoffs.' I looked back at him and said, 'I need a kickoff returner. Come out tomorrow and we'll see what you can do.' He kind of forced his way into the position."

During a practice at Aloha Stadium two weeks ago, Taylor scored on a 100-yard kickoff return. Soon after, he was placed on the "to consider" list.

"So much of it is the confidence of the returner," Reinebold said. "Chad (Owens, UH's returner last season) had it. Every great returner believes he can make a play every time he touches the ball. When you come through the situation Andre's come through, you recognize you're not a household name. You've got to do more. He uses it as emotional fuel."

Reinebold recalled when Taylor, as a wideout on the scout offense, was asked to block a linebacker.

"Andre goes in and shillelaghed our linebacker, knocked him down," Reinebold said. "It was one of those deals where we said, 'Andre, we want you to crack him but not that hard.' That showed some toughness and some want-to. I'm pulling for him because I like to see the underdog succeed."

Reinebold said freshman Mikhail Kafentzis opened as UH's returner on kickoffs because of his sure-handed play. But after Kafentzis fumbled on his fifth return, Taylor was summoned. His first kickoff return went for 21 yards; his second for 40.

"With all of the talk and fanfare about (USC's Heisman Trophy finalist) Reggie Bush, and all of the great return people they had — and certainly not to take anything away from Reggie Bush — but doggone-it, Taylor comes out of the game with the longest kickoff return," Reinebold said.

The season-ending injury to Jason Ferguson created a vacancy at punt returner. Davone Bess, who returned punts against USC, will not fill that role, allowing him to focus on playing slotback. The former what's-his-name will assume those duties.

"When your name is called," Taylor said, "you have to be ready. I'm glad they're calling me."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.