The Hawaii football team essentially broke training camp on Wednesday, exiting with renewed enthusiasm and a reinforced defensive line.

“I thought it was real productive,” defensive coordinator Corey Batoon said of the 17-practice camp. “We got a lot of good work in. I thought the kids in the offseason did a really nice job preparing for a good fall camp. Just the continuity of the system, the continuity of the coaches, it really helped us have a fast camp.”

For the first time since 2001, every UH full-time assistant coach has returned, including Batoon and his multi-set defense. Prior to Batoon’s hiring in 2018, the Rainbow Warriors had seven defensive coordinators in seven years.

“It was a lot more physical camp than we’ve had in the past,” Batoon said. “I think all of those are positives.”

On Wednesday, players staying in the dorms designated for training camp moved to their fall-semester residences. The Warriors will continue their morning practice schedule leading to the Aug. 24 opener against Arizona at Aloha Stadium. On moving day, Batoon was pleased with the progression of the defensive line.

Following the 2017 season, the defensive front was depleted because of graduations and departures. A grayshirt (Blessman Taala) and junior-college transfer (Kendall Hune) came in to eventually earn starting jobs. Following the 2018 season, the Warriors added two more junior-college transfers (Mason Vega and DJuan Matthews).

Vega and Jonah Laulu, who redshirted in 2018, are competing as the successors to Zeno Choi, last season’s strong-side end. In the Warriors’ 4-2 front, the end (also known as the Bandit) is used as an edge defender or third tackle. Hune, who plays the 3-technique across the outside shoulder of an offensive guard, has served as a mentor to Matthews.

“We had to get more depth,” Batoon said. “It was something you’re always lacking. You always want more, especially defensive linemen. They’re hard to come by. I felt we did a really good job in evaluating these guys in the recruiting process. And we were able to sign them. They’ve come in and grasped the system, and they grasped the culture we’re trying to build here. They’ve had good camps.”

Vega was a basketball player who played football only as a Los Osos (Calif.) High senior. He was at Portland State for a season before suffering a knee injury and then transferring to Chaffey College. He enrolled at UH in January. An ailment restricted his spring work to mental reps, meetings and video sessions. “I was able to grasp (the defense),” said Vega, noting it was a scheme similar to the one used at Chaffey. “When I came into (training camp), it was a smooth transition.”

At 6-3 and 280 pounds, Vega can play across the line. In one of the subpackages, he aligns as a nose tackle. At any of the three spots, Vega said, “you’re going to get contact every play. I love to play physical and make an impact.”

Matthews has been a defensive lineman since his sophomore year at Houston’s Cypress High. He played two seasons at Blinn College, one of the top junior-college programs in Texas, before signing with the Warriors. He arrived at UH shortly before the start of training camp.

At 5-11 and 280 pounds, Matthews relishes the line battles. “I love playing defensive line,” Matthews said. “When I walk up to the offensive linemen, they’re 6-4, 6-5 and above, and they’re looking down on me. But I’ve got that dog in me.”

From Hune, Matthews learned that drawing a double-team block is as good as an assist. “If I’m not making a play, my linebackers are making plays,” Matthews said. “So we’re all eating. It’s a win. I’ll do anything to get the win. If it means taking on double teams the whole game, I’ll do it.”