For the first three days of fall camp, Dejon Allen worked on his techniques for getting to the quarterback.
He spent the fourth learning to protect the passer.
Allen, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound freshman who started on both sides of the line in high school, moved from defense to offense for Monday’s practice, getting some work at left guard in drills.
The change from a black jersey to white came with some expected needling from the defensive linemen.
“It’s a little funny because they’d tell me ‘traitor, traitor,’ ” Allen said.
Allen garnered attention in the national recruiting rankings as an offensive and defensive lineman at Dominguez High School in Compton, Calif. He joined the UH program as a grayshirt and the early switch was a scripted move dating back to the recruiting process.
“(Allen), Matt Koloamatangi, Keelan Ewaliko, they’re such good athletes that we told them when we recruited them we want to give them a chance to see where they’re going to fit in the best,” UH head coach Norm Chow said.
“We’re just trying to evaluate them; we have time.”
Koloamatangi also began camp as a defensive lineman but has practiced at tight end the past two days. Ewaliko remains a receiver and kick returner for now.
Allen said he gravitated toward defense in high school, but developed an affinity for offensive line play as well.
“It felt good to be back on the O-line,” Allen said. “I love blocking for the quarterback — that’s a big position to handle.”
Mike Milovale and transfer Sully Wiefels remained first at the guard spots in team periods on Monday, followed by Kody Afusia and Dave Lefotu.
The depth on the offensive line took a hit with word that freshman Elijah Tupai will have season-ending shoulder surgery. Sophomore RJ Hollis also sat out Monday’s practice.
SAMIA FEELING STRONGER
Moses Samia’s return from a knee injury is expected to strengthen the interior of the defensive line.
For his part, Samia is working on getting back up to speed now that he’s returned full-time.
Samia suffered the season-ending knee injury against Lamar in the second game of the season last fall and returned for limited work in the spring. He’s now back in the regular rotation at defensive tackle.
“I’m actually happy with where I’m at right now. I feel strong, feel in shape, just making sure I learn and catch up with the other guys and try to make it to the first game healthy,” Samia said Monday.
“Just dusting off the rust a little bit, now I’m just trying to get back to game speed. I’m picking it up slowly as we get deeper in the camp.”
Samia welcomed the chance to absorb some contact the past two days of practice. The Rainbow Warriors are scheduled for their first full-pads practice of camp on Wednesday.
“It was good to get the pads back on and break them back in,” Samia said. “I’m just happy I’m back out there with the boys on the grind, kinda missed it.”
SPEAKING OF THE GRIND…
Now that the initial buzz of the first weekend of camp has worn off, Chow noticed a bit of a lull in energy in Monday’s practice.
“We dragged a little bit. You expect that in day four or five, but we can’t accept it and I told them that,” Chow said. “I wasn’t mad but just a little disappointed because we have to fight through this. If we’re going to be any good we have to work every single day. … It’s not unique, we’ll fight through it.”
