Ryan Mouton changes his number to honor a friend

HSB Note: "With the Warriors in the midst of preparations for their Sugar Bowl appearance, Mouton learned of the death of Matt Halton, a close friend and former teammate at Katy High School in Texas."

About the passing of Matt, Mouton said:
"It hurt because two or three days before we went down to the Sugar Bowl we had talked." (HSB)

About changing his number from 27 to 2, the number Halton wore as Katy's QB, Mouton said:
"I'm thinking about him and feel like I represent him every time I go out there." (HSB)

About the INT he made against Washington to clinch their undefeated regular season, Mouton said:
"I think about it and just see that ball floating in the air." (HSB)

"(Gerard Lewis) broke up the pass, and gave me an opportunity to seal the deal." (HSB)

HSB Note: "With Hawaii needing to protect 6 yards to clinch a perfect regular season and the Warriors' first BCS berth, Mouton secured both. A pass into the end zone was knocked into the air and fell into his hands, ending Washington's bid for a stunning comeback."

HSB Note: "Mouton turned in several big plays in his first season at UH -- none bigger than his game-ending interception against the Huskies -- and is looking to make even more of an impact this fall. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Mouton floated around the Warriors secondary last year, contributing at cornerback, safety and nickel back, but entered spring practice this week locked in at a cornerback spot. Although Mouton was slowed by injuries last season, the Houston product's ability and his productivity in 11 games last year drew raves from the Hawaii coaches."

Praising Mouton, Rich Miano said:
"He's the most talented guy I've ever had. He's probably one of the smartest guys and definitely the most confident guy." (HSB)

Miano said that UH has had quality CBs while Miano has been at UH (LeJay, Abe Elimimian, Lewis, Newberry, etc.) but Mouton:
"has the potential to be better than all of them. But potential is something that's unfulfilled until he does it. But there's no reason he's not a next-level guy." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Mouton transferred to UH from Blinn (Texas) Junior College and finished with 26 tackles and two interceptions while breaking up seven passes in his first year at UH. He scored two touchdowns, the first on an interception return against UNLV and the second on a 90-yard kickoff return against Charleston Southern. First-year head coach Greg McMackin intends to keep Mouton even busier this fall."

About how he plans to use Mouton even more this year, Mack said:
"He's going to run back kickoffs, run back punts, he's going to do a little bit of everything because he's a real talent." (HSB)

Happy to contribute wherever UH needs him, Mouton said:
"Last year I wanted to contribute to the team wherever they needed me. I was willing to do that and I'm still willing to do that." (HSB)

HSB Note: "With Lewis and Newberry holding down the corner spots last year, the coaches found ways to work the versatile Mouton in at various spots in the secondary. He made the game-saving pick against Washington while playing safety after injuries knocked Desmond Thomas, Jake Patek and Dane Porlas out of the game."

About how he likes to defend 1-on-1 at CB, Mouton said:
"Last year it was a lot of blitzing, whereas now it's more a corner-style technique where you get to cover a lot. Hopefully they still let me get in there and do some blitzing and things like that." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Mouton suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his knee last season and was happy to be running without braces when the Warriors opened spring practice Monday morning, lining up at a corner spot opposite junior JoPierre Davis with the first unit. Although neither has started a game at UH, both enter the new year having touchdown returns to their credit. Along with Mouton's 40-yard return against UNLV, Davis had a 57-yard score late in UH's win over New Mexico State."

About how he's much more confident this year after playing a season at UH, Mouton said:
"My first year was a learning experience, I got an opportunity to just learn the defense. I'm way more confident and hopefully I'll make a lot more plays." (HSB)