Throughout the course of fall camp, HawaiiAthletics.com will provide an in-depth breakdown of the 2015 Rainbow Warrior football team, position-by-position, leading up to the first week of regular-practices in preparation for UH's season opener against against Colorado on Sept. 3.

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HONOLULU—The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior football team returned to work on the second day of 2015 fall camp, Thursday afternoon at the Cooke Practice Field, maintaining the intensity and an aggressive offensive energy.

At the heart of the offensive effort, operating in their fifth month of study in first-year offensive coordinator Don Bailey's new schemes, the receiving corps demands significant attention when the ball goes in the air. Poised to be a position of impact in the 2015 season, the outside receivers are a triple threat—an experienced, talented and deep unit.

The duo of junior Marcus Kemp (6-4, 200, Layton, Utah) and senior Quinton Pedroza (6-2, 215, Chino, Calif.) accounted for over half of the Rainbow Warriors' receiving yards a year ago, putting up 1,471 yards with six touchdowns and a combined 12.8 yards per catch average. While Pedroza spent some time in the slot in 2014, both are projected to be outside this season, creating a serious tandem threat for opposing secondaries.Both ranked in the top 10 in the Mountain West standings for both receptions per game and receiving yards per game.

 

"It's great for the young guys to watch them, and great for the group to play at a consistent level like they are so far," wide receivers coach Luke Matthews said.

Leading the team in receiving with 797 yards last season, Kemp took the top spot in his first season as a full-time starter, drawing enough notice to receive a spot on the 2015 Biletnikoff Award watch list for the nation's most outstanding receiver.

"Last year was really big for Marcus," Matthews said. "He really grew up early on."

After being limited at times in the front half of the season, Kemp finished strong in 2014, racking up 114 yards in the win over UNLV and 117 yards at Fresno State to close out the year.
 

"I've definitely gotten more comfortable with who I am and what type of player I am on the field," Kemp said. "I've gotten more confident, especially building on the end of last year."

Although the term "1-2 punch" is often levied on the running backs, Pedroza will provide the second threat to again make that a reality for the Rainbow Warriors in 2015. A transfer from Utah, Pedroza started only eight games last season, but registered 674 yards and led the team with 59 receptions.

"Last year was my first being a full-time starter, week-in and week-out," Pedroza said. "Being at Utah, it would be 10 plays in a game, and the next week five, or not at all. Continuing to build off of last year has really helped me pave the way for this season."

The first two games of last season, both against Pac-12 opponents—Washington and Oregon State—showed the offensive threat the duo pose, now a year older. UW defensive back Marcus Peters—a first round NFL Draft pick—was forced to rotate which of the pair he covered and the 'Bows were able to capitalize. While Kemp was limited to four catches for 31 yards, Pedroza collected nine for 90. Returning against OSU in the second contest, the focus turned to Pedroza, who still tallied 62 yards, while Kemp hauled in six passes for 102 yards.

"A lot of teams have that "one" corner and it leaves them with the dilemma of who to line them up over," Pedroza said. "This season can be the same way with the coaches having the option to mix us around—we might both be on the same side, split, opposite—there are lots of options."

 

While the two upperclassmen require game-planning notice, they are hardly the only weapons on the outside for Hawai'i. Last year the 'Bows were thin at times just based on numbers, but this season there is a new level of competition, one of the many benefits of quality depth.

Returning to the fold is junior Vasquez Haynes (6-2, 210, Memphis, Tenn.), who missed the 2014 season due to injury. As a sophomore in 2013, Haynes tallied 354 yards on 29 catches, with three touchdowns. Sophomore Ammon Barker (6-4, 205, Salt Lake City, Utah) also returns after grabbing 10 catches for 162 yards as a rookie, while classmate Keelan Ewaliko (5-11, 200, Wailuku, Maui) proved to be a long-ball threat with 141 yards on six grabs after moving over from his initial role as a running back.

In addition, the 'Bows return 'Ewa Beach all-stater Devan Stubblefield (6-0, 190), who sustained an injury in last year's camp and is expected to be in the mix. After redshirting in 2014, sophomore Andrew Ho (6-2, 210, San Mateo, Calif.) has already provided some impressive grabs early in the fall, including an extended one-hander over the middle on Tuesday.

"This offense itself is very dangerous, and to have very capable receivers, it will create challenges for defenses to scheme against," Kemp said. "For the first time since we've been here, we have a lot of depth. I feel comfortable with everybody that's in front or behind on the depth chart to do what they have to do."
The receiving corps has made its growth not only in the film room since spring practices, but also growing physically stronger in the off-season training program.

"Strength Coach [Gary] Beemer is doing a great job with them in the weight room," Matthews said. "After spring ends, that's the biggest part—they've cut some fat off but gained strength, so they're all quicker and stronger."

With the offensive goal stated at 75 touchdowns, the receiving unit's experience and maturity will be a key component in reaching that aggressive goal, and its members expect to see everyone play their own part in reaching it.

"This is one of the more dangerous receiving units in the conference, one of the more dangerous that I've been a part of and one of the more dangerous that's been a part of this program in a long time," Pedroza said.

The Rainbow Warriors return to action for the third day of camp on Friday at Cooke Practice Field, opening up in shells for the first time in fall camp with a 2:15 p.m. practice.