Every now and then, someone will give a where-have-I-seen-you stare to Royce Pollard, then turn away.

"I’m like, ‘Hello? It’s me," said Pollard, smiling. "People forget I have short hair now."

In his first three years as a Hawaii receiver, Pollard was recognizable mostly for his long hair, which spilled from his helmet even when it was braided.

Now with closely cut hair, Pollard slips further into anonymity, even though he should be recognized as one of the top receivers in the Western Athletic Conference.

Thing is, Pollard is indeed an outside receiver, overshadowed by the video-game statistics of UH slotbacks Greg Salas and Kealoha Pilares.

Pollard is fourth in the WAC in receptions (5.17 per game) and receiving yards (74.17 per game), but Salas and Pilares are Nos. 1 and 2 in those categories. For all of his solo accomplishments, Pollard is Kevin Jonas.

"I have no problem with it at all," Pollard said. "We work as a unit. We all help each other get open. We all get (passes). There’s no reason to be selfish, to be the lead singer."

Salas said he often gets open because Pollard runs routes to draw away the extra defender.

"Royce does a lot for us," Salas said.

Offensive coordinator Nick Rolovich said: "We don’t use the word ‘decoy.’ We say everybody has a job to do. Being unselfish is part of the offense. He takes it to heart, and he understands, and he sees the results."

Two weeks ago against Louisiana Tech, when Pilares and Salas combined for 28 catches, Pollard ran at full speed every play. He said he "tweaked" a hamstring because "I spent so much time running hard. … But that’s part of being a teammate."

Pollard was held out of much of last week’s practices while recuperating. But he played nearly every snap against Fresno State.

"I was raised to fight through pain and aches and never show weakness," Pollard said. "I like to go until I can’t go anymore. The hard-work ethic is in me."

Rolovich said Pollard has developed into a reliable receiver who runs precise routes. Pollard also is fearless on inside screens and crossing patterns.

"He’s a tough guy," Rolovich said.

Pollard, who was born at Tripler Hospital, was raised mostly in San Diego. He is a mix of Hawaiian and African-American.

He and his father, Anthony Pollard, are close. Both decided to grow out their hair when Pollard was in high school. And on Pollard’s 21st birthday this past June, both decided to cut their hair, which was donated to Locks of Love. That organization makes hair pieces for children undergoing treatment for cancer.

"It’s something we both were in favor of doing," Pollard said. "A lot of people want to get wasted and buy their first drinks and do all of this crazy stuff. It’s calm. It’s a change."