In a quick assessment of Sean Shigematsu’s progress, University of Hawaii offensive line coach Chris Wiesehan made multiple references to the sophomore tackle’s resilience.
It’s a trait Shigematsu has had to employ quite a bit early in his college career.
Shigematsu endured a shaky debut as a redshirt freshman in last year’s season opener and responded with a solid performance the following week before an awkward twist of his knee ended his season.
He recovered in time to take part in spring drills, but was still limited by the injury and entered the summer second on the depth chart at right tackle. Now that his knee is closer to full strength, Shigematsu hopes his latest bounce back results in a starting job when the Warriors open the season Sept. 1.
"I feel really healthy, my leg feels strong, back to normal," Shigematsu said after Saturday’s practice. "It’s just getting after it, earning that spot, hoping to start against USC.
"I’ve been out for almost a year, so I’m looking forward to every day. Camp is just a blessing."
Shigematsu has been working with the first unit in the Warriors’ first three practices, though the combinations could be shuffled as the camp progresses.
"There’s still five steaks on the table," Wiesehan said. "Nobody’s set, he knows that, but he’s done a good job of being relentlessly positive and being resilient."
Shigematsu, a Kapa‘a graduate, redshirted in 2010 and worked into the starting five a year ago. He was admittedly jittery in UH’s season opener against Colorado and struggled at times in the Warriors’ win.
"I really didn’t know what to expect the first game against Colorado," Shigematsu said. "I’d been through camp, but I wasn’t aware that game speed is a lot faster."
A week later, he held his ground far more effectively in a start against Washington.
"I had a mind-set of knowing what’s going to happen. I really studied film on my man, saw all the moves he had and just really focused in," he said.
But what might have been a breakthrough performance ended with a tough break when another player rolled into his knee, tearing two ligaments and ending his freshman season.
"When they told me I wouldn’t be able to play the whole season it really touched my heart because I love football, it’s my passion," Shigematsu said. "To get back and play with all my boys, I really love it.
"There were only a few minutes left in the quarter and then something like that happened. God does stuff for a reason. I’m back now and healthy because of him."
Shigematsu was still rehabbing his knee during spring practice, but got enough work in to familiarize himself with the new pro-style system and start building trust in his knee again.
"It’s a confidence factor for Sean," Wiesehan said. "He came out a little tentative early in the spring as a result of the knee injury. He slipped down to the No. 2, never pouted, never whined, never made excuses, just kept working. He had a good offseason and I wanted to see more tape of him and see what he can do."
At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Shigematsu has "great physical stature," Wiesehan said. "Now it’s getting him bigger, physically stronger and more flexible."
Shigematsu, who calls himself "a pass blocker at heart," has been rotating with fellow sophomore Jordan Loeffler at right tackle as he adjusts to the heightened emphasis on run blocking.
The team wore shoulder pads for the first time at Saturday’s workout. The competition for jobs figures to intensify this week when full-pad practices begin.
"I’m a guy who’s never quick to judge," Wiesehan said. "I’m going to see how a guy is when the plastic is on and they have to put their face on somebody and then we’ll make our judgments. It becomes dramatically clearer."
