Navy junior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, whose family lives in Kapolei, Hawaii, said he didn?t want to stay in Annapolis this summer, but felt obligated to remain at the Academy.
“I needed to stay here if I wanted to be the starter,” he said. “To remain the starter, I had to get bigger, faster and stronger.”
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The 5-foot-11, 194-pound quarterback spent the past few months taking classes and participating in seven-on-seven drills with his teammates to prepare him for his first season as a starter. Kaheaku-Enhada did not become Navy?s quarterback under ideal settings. He took over for Brian Hampton during the Midshipmen?s 34-0 loss Oct. 14 against Rutgers after Hampton suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Following a 38-14 loss Oct. 28 against Notre Dame, Kaheaku-Enhada led Navy to four consecutive victories before a 25-24 loss to Boston College in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
Kaheaku-Enhada finished the year with 507 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns, and completed 23-of-48 passes for 384 yards, 5 touchdowns and an interception. Kaheaku-Enhada said he let more experienced players take leadership roles last season. But Kaheaku-Enhada, the team?s first quarterback to start consecutive season-openers since Craig Candeto in 2002-03, said he will be much more vocal this fall. Navy begins its season on Aug. 31 against Temple.
“Last year I didn?t feel I was in a position to be too vocal,” he said. “This year coming off getting the chance to play a little, I now feel like it?s my time to step up and be a leader on this team.”
Senior slot back Reggie Campbell said he sees a more confident Kaheaku-Enhada this fall.
“Kaipo?s the quarterback,” Campbell said. “There?s no breaking the ice with a new quarterback this year. He?s definitely matured, especially since the summer, and is ready to go.”
Junior Jarod Bryant and senior Troy Goss are Kaheaku-Enhada?s main competition for the job. However, Kaheaku-Enhada has the edge, largely because he has experience running the triple-option offense ? the same offense he guided for two seasons at Kapolei High School.
“[Kaheaku-Enhada] worked hard this summer,” Navy coach Paul Johnson said. “He?s like everybody else. He has good periods and bad. All in all he has a good attitude and he?s working hard.”
