Hamstring problems have plagued the senior since practice began three weeks ago. Meikle tried to return at least once, but the injury continued to nag him.

"It feels good," he said. "I've been here about two weeks, where I could go but probably would have re-pulled it. I'm just trying to be patient."

With Meikle and another slot receiver, Bryce Mahuika, both recovering from injuries, Mike Hague has worked with the first-team offense. Meikle, who was the punt returner during Friday's practice, has helped teach the freshman the position and now will compete with him for playing time.

"Just seeing him step up, I love it," Meikle said. "We've become real close, even before he moved to H receiver."

As a junior walk-on, Meikle had 36 receptions for 292 yards. He set career highs in the Las Vegas Bowl with 12 catches for 93 yards.

Coach Bronco Mendenhall said Hague has made considerable progress since switching from defense two weeks ago but had no problem putting Meikle back to the first team.

"I felt like there's been a missing piece for a while," Mendenhall said. "While there's been a lot of attention with Mike Hague and being able to train a freshman there, the best way for Mike to learn and the best way for our team to move forward is to have Nate back as well."

Return engagement

Cole Miyahira's original suspension called for him to be away from the football team until after the Arizona game, but the senior defensive back worked with the scout team during Friday's practice.

Mendenhall said Miyahira already has completed the required 10 hours of community service. Miyahira was suspended after clashing with secondary coach Jaime Hill during Tuesday's practice.

"This is a pretty amazing thing," Mendenhall said "I had asked Cole to provide 10 hours of community service, and within a day and a half it was done. His willingness to rejoin the program, and the impression I've had, has been favorable. So he'll serve on the scout team all week long to help our team win."

Miyahira will be in the two-deep depth chart when he returns to practice Sept. 4, Mendenhall said. He had been a starting safety for several practices, replacing Dustin Gabriel.

Lingering headaches had kept Gabriel out of practice until Wednesday. He resumed his position as a starter.

Redshirts

Mendenhall has met with the 29 newcomers to determine redshirt status for this season.

Three incoming freshman quarterbacks - Jacob Bower, Sam Doman and James Lark - all were on the redshirt list that Mendenhall released after Friday's practice. Those decisions mean redshirt freshman Max Hall is the third-team quarterback.

Other notables on the list include: defensive backs Michael Moore and Robbie Buckner, defensive linemen Mosese Foketi and Jordan Richardson, offensive linemen Walter Kahaialii and Rick Wolfley.

Others could be added to the list as the season goes. Many of the redshirt players will work on the scout teams.

Freshman tight end Andrew George had knee surgery Thursday but may be available for the Arizona game. Defensive lineman Matangi Tonga suffered an ankle injury during Friday's practice.