Feature article on Jordan Gomes

About the first time he entered a game for UH, during his freshman year against SJSU, Jordan Gomes said:
"Running in, didn't really know what to do, staring back at Coach asking for the play, and I ended up making the wrong call the first play. But as the game went on it got better." (HSB)

HSB Note: "From that "wide-eyed" moment last fall, Gomes put up some eye-popping numbers in the offseason in his efforts to earn more field time as a sophomore. Gomes walked on at a relatively slight 160 pounds in 2008, and still isn't the biggest safety around at 185. Yet he ranks among the strongest defensive backs in the program, pushing senior Spencer Smith for that distinction. In team testing, Gomes bench pressed 405 pounds and pounded out 29 repetitions at 225 pounds. The top score among the safeties at last month's NFL Combine was 28 reps. His 34-inch vertical leap is also second among the UH defensive backs."

Praising Gomes' work ethic, strength coach Tommy Heffernan said:
"He works hard and sets a good example." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Taking his weight-room work ethic to the field, Gomes has quietly strung together eight practices that have drawn raves from the coaches so far this spring. The sophomore made several big hits in last Saturday's scrimmage on Kauai and came down with a nifty interception of a pass over the middle during yesterday's practice."

Praising Gomes, Rich Miano said:
"He's playing as well as any of our DBs right now." (HSB)

About the importance of doing well during his reps with the #2 defense at safety and nickel back, Gomes said:
"You have to make plays, don't make mistakes, and be consistent. That's what they're looking for." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Miano started tracking Gomes — an All-State selection as a senior at Kamehameha — when he received a call from Mike Akiu, Gomes' uncle and a former UH and NFL receiver. Gomes was invited to walk on and redshirted in 2008. He progressed enough to earn playing time in 10 games last fall, and saw his first significant action in the secondary against San Jose State. The Warriors implemented packages using six or more defensive backs in the second half of the season to defend third-and-long situations, giving freshmen such as Gomes and cornerback Lewis Walker a chance to get onto the field."

About earning playing time during his freshman year, Gomes said:
"I had to study (the playbook) a lot last year just to get some playing time, get good scores on the tests. We had a shot to play more dime and I wanted to try to prove myself and make sure I knew my assignments." (HSB)

About UH's tradition of developing safeties who walk on and become productive players, Miano said:
"They may not be the tallest guys, but they make up for it with explosiveness and toughness." (HSB)

About trying to maintain the bulk he gained during the offseason with the demands of his classes, meetings, and practices, Gomes said:
"Trying to eat with this college schedule is kind of hard. I don't get a lot of breakfast, but I try to eat as much as I can." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/sports/20100415_UH_sophomore_Gomes_makes_strides_at_safety.html