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 opened up its second week of practices on Monday at Cooke Practice Field, taking on another practice in shells with an aggressive defensive edge. Although the offense drew the praise for the first week of camp, the defense scrapped out a solid opening day for week two.
 
One unit provides the leadership of experience as things get a little more physical on the practice field—the cornerbacks. The 'Bows are among the most battle-tested secondary units in the Mountain West Conference, and the corner position is at that heart of that experience, returning both starters from a year ago—in sophomore Nick Nelson and senior Ne'Quan Phillips.
 
Coming out of the spring, Nelson (6-0, 200, Forestville, Md.) retained his first-string position, after taking over for Dee Maggitt in the sixth game a year ago. He went on to start the final seven games for the 'Bows, registering 31 solo stops in 36 tackles, breaking up six passes and forcing a fumble.
 
"We're a pretty solid group of corners right now," secondary coach Abe Elimimian said. "Some guys have the experience from playing last year and a lot of guys, like Jamal Mayo, have really picked it up this year. At the end of the day, the guys are really a mixture of that."
 

Rising to the top of the depth chart opposite Nelson is the junior, Mayo (5-11, 185, Oakland, Calif.), who redshirted a year ago. A junior college transfer from California's Laney College, Mayo was a two-time all-conference and all-state selection, logging 10 interceptions in 18 games. Mayo has been the beneficiary of the schemes implemented in the spring by new defensive coordinator Tom Mason.
 
"My technique got better and I've just been more consistent," Mayo said. "It's a lot better than last year. We're playing faster and more comfortable and it puts us in better position to make plays."
 
Still in play to push for the starting position is Philips (5-9, 190, Miami, Fla.),  who started all 13 games at cornerback and recorded a unit-leading 54 tackles, including six for loss and three sacks, with an interception, six pass breakups, a forced fumble and a recovery.
 
Also collecting a significant amount of reps is Jalen Rogers (6-1, 200, Tucson, Ariz.), who served as a backup in six games last year, recording one interception.
 

Also seeing field time through the first five practices have been newcomers Rojesterman Farris II (6-1, 170, Coral Springs, Fla.), Cameron Hayes (5-11, 180, Gardena, Calif.), Preston Kalai (5-11, 185, Hilo, Hawai') and Trey Linton (6-0, 175, Charlotte, N.C.)—all freshmen.
 
"We're stacked at the corner position and I feel like everyone is going to see the field," Nelson said. "Everybody can make plays, so I feel like even against a team with five receivers, we've got enough talent to lock it down."
 
In addition to the corners, the 'Bows have significant experience for the nickelback position. So far in camp, Phillips is slated as the first to appear at NB, with Gaetano DeMattei playing notable reps as well. DeMattei made two starts at the position last season and played in all 13 games, collecting 26 tackles, including four for loss.
 
The unit's cohesiveness has been cited as a big growth point for the corner position.
 
"I pick things up off other players," Nelson said. "If I get something, others pick things up off me and we learn from each other. We pick things up in the film room and on the sideline when we come off."
 
 

The 'Bows secondary tallied nine of the defense's 11 interceptions last year and broke up 30 passes. Noted in the spring to allow the players to read and react more fluidly, the new defensive schemes allow the corners to set their sights on a very simple goal.
 
"What we're striving for this year is taking the ball away," Elimimian said. "If you look at the spring, we had some guys with multiple interceptions and have continued over to fall camp. It's been good in this first year in this defense. There's a bit of a learning curve, but we had a really good spring, and we haven't missed a beat. "
 
Although UH prepped the depth chart prior to fall camp, the competition is far from being settled so early in the fall practices.
 
"We've got guys really playing well within the scheme. As we continue to go over the next two weeks, and begin planning for Colorado, we'll begin to make the final decision on who are going to be the guys starting," Elimimian added.
 
The Rainbow Warriors return to action on Tuesday with a 2:15 p.m. practice at Cooke Practice Field for the sixth day of fall camp.