Hawaii special teams coordinator Chris Demarest likes what he’s seen from Tyler Hadden in training camp, but more so what he’s heard.

"This is the first time I can actually hear the ball coming off his foot," Demarest said.

An offseason strength program packed on 15 pounds, pushing Hadden up to 190 and giving him an audible boost behind his kicks.

"It’s a different sound," Hadden said. "When I kick off I feel the ball is going a lot farther and it’s easier, the same with field goals."

Demarest said this training camp was the first where Hadden was fully healthy since he took command of UH’s special teams units and "he’s coming in stronger and the most in shape he’s ever been."

"So the power’s there, his accuracy is getting better," Demarest said.

The confidence generated by that first component has a connection to the second.

"Standing over the ball knowing I’m stronger, your mind is at ease knowing you have the power to get the ball there," Hadden said.

In three seasons, Hadden has sent 56 percent of his field-goal attempts through the uprights, hitting seven of his 13 attempts last year after going 13-for-21 as a sophomore. He drilled six from beyond 40 yards in 2012, twice making kicks from a career-long 49 yards.

So far in training camp, Demarest said Hadden — who is 83-for-87 on extra-point attempts in his career — has improved on keeping his field-goal attempts on track and focusing on the positive.

"Like every kicker, they miss one or two and they get down, but he seems to be staying up there," Demarest said. "I chart everything and so far he’s been up in the 90th percentile.

"The kicker’s no different than a quarterback or a pitcher in baseball. They’re gonna throw a bad pitch, they have to come back and throw another good pitch. You might kick a couple great ones then kick one not so good, they have to come right back and have a thick skin and a short memory and do it again because we’re going to count on him."

Hadden in turn has built trust in his partners in the process. Brodie Nakama was a reliable long snapper as a freshman and quarterback Ikaika Woolsey will retain his role as Hadden’s holder.

"Over the past couple of years I think I’ve had four holders and two snappers," Hadden said. "(Woolsey has) done a great job and I’ve been able to get with him in the offseason to work on our snap and holding."