Defensive Line Adds Some Extra Juice

The University of Hawai‘i football team is bolstering their defensive front with veteran transfers from New Mexico and Minnesota. 

New Mexico transfer De’Jon Benton and Minnesota transfer Luther McCoy landed in Hawai‘i and are gaining confidence in a new system while embracing the culture.

Benton started his college career at USC and played in 35 games over five seasons and recorded 32 tackles and six tackles-for-loss. He transferred to New Mexico in 2024 but tore his biceps and did not play. The 2025 season will be his final year of eligibility. 

Hawai‘i is unique, and the culture that the coaches have built has become a deciding factor for players. 

“The reason I came here was because of coach [Dennis] Thurman and coach Jeff [Reinbold], just with conversations I had with them, I felt like I could learn a lot from them,” Benton said “They've been in the game for 20-plus years.”

The Pittsburg, Calif., native fell in love with football at a young age and credits his family for getting him involved early, but continues to play football for a different reason. 

“Football ran in my family, but when it came to me, football was a way I could learn about myself,” Benton said. “Football gave me that challenge, that challenge each and every time I'm out there and should be told that's even to this day, that's why I'm still playing football.” 

McCoy also stressed that the people and culture are the driving forces that pushed him to be a Rainbow Warrior.

“It's a brotherhood,” McCoy said. “Everybody here really wants to win. And obviously a lot of work to do here, a lot of things that could change and it will change, but the starting point this spring is a great stepping stone for what's going to happen next.”

After redshirting his first year and playing primarily on special teams for the next three years at Minnesota, the Saint Johns, Fla., native came to Hawai‘i with two seasons of eligibility remaining and is ready to put in the work but also enjoy playing football. 

“I went to the University of Minnesota my first four years there. I got my degree there, and then… really came to a place where I know that we’re ready to work and ready to win,” McCoy said. “I’m really excited to be here and playing, to work with the boys and going through spring ball now; I just started to love it again.”

Minnesota’s offense is almost a polar opposite of Hawai‘i’s run-and-shoot but McCoy feels confident he is picking up the new system quickly.

“The scheme in Minnesota was very run-based; and here it's more of an air raid and a lot more quick sets and pass rush,” McCoy said. “Being able to adjust to that in my pass and run, being able to really thrive is very important to me”

McCoy and Benton have spent most of their lives playing football and credit their success to family, teammates and coaches they met along the way.

“My mom; She's the go, the OG, the one and only. She's really been helping me out, whether it is physically, emotionally, whatever I need,” McCoy said. “I can go to her and be out there and tell her how I really feel.”

“It's all the people, all the people that had put their hand on me, and that's all of Pittsburg [High School],” Benton said. Everybody along the way, that had given me something. I've taken that with me, even to this moment here.”

As spring ball continues McCoy and Benton are hungry and excited to win.

“I love the island. I'm happy to be here. and I'm ready to win,” Benton said.

“Love on everybody and show love to the big boys down in the trenches,” McCoy said.