Bigger. Stronger. Better.

Marcus Kemp has a new look to go along with a new role in the Hawaii receiver corps.

Along with another 25 pounds on a still wiry 6-foot-4 frame, there’s a confidence in Kemp’s on-field presence he didn’t have a year ago as an admittedly jittery freshman.

"He carries himself with a lot more poise," UH receivers coach Luke Matthews said, "and he makes the plays he needs to make when the time comes."

Those occasions could come far more often in Kemp’s sophomore year as one of the Rainbow Warriors’ more experienced wideouts.

After seeing playing time in 11 games off the bench last year, Kemp has practiced with the first unit at X receiver through the first 10 days of training camp. Although he didn’t have a pass thrown his way in Wednesday’s full-contact scrimmage, he could be a leading target when UH opens the season Aug. 30 against Washington.

"Last year I was nervous, didn’t know what to expect for camp, so I was kind of jittery and didn’t think I was playing my best," Kemp said. "Now I’m relaxed, I know my playbook, so I think I’m coming out there pretty confident and doing my job."

Kemp has maintained his spot on one side of the formation with his performances in camp, while Utah transfer Quinton Pedroza has been first in the rotation at Z receiver.

"(Kemp’s) had a nice camp and we’re counting on him," head coach Norm Chow said. "He understands what we’re trying to get done."

While slot receivers Scott Harding (56 receptions, 631 yards) and Donnie King (11, 118) are the unit’s top returning pass catchers, Kemp entered camp as the most productive returnee among the wideouts. He caught 11 passes for 110 yards while backing up Chris Gant, UH’s leading receiver last year.

Gant and Billy Ray Stutzmann completed their eligibility in December and the depth chart was thinned with the losses of Keith Kirkwood (transferred) and Vasquez Haynes (injury). Freshman Devan Stubblefield was expected to contribute right away before suffering a knee injury on the first day of camp.

"That’s a scary word, experienced, because (Kemp) played limited reps for us last year," Matthews said. "But he’s been thrust into a situation where he has to step it up."

Kemp was a state champion in the high jump at Layton High School in Utah, and his height and speed make him a top candidate to fill the role as the Warriors’ downfield threat. But he also takes pride in the less glamorous duties of the position.

"A lot of receivers get tagged as being soft and not wanting to hit, but he’s into that and he goes and blocks," Matthews said.

Knowing Gant would be the featured receiver last year, Kemp figured his path to playing time would come through obstructing defenders. Now that he might have more opportunities to make plays in the passing game, he still hopes to catch defensive backs off guard without the ball.

"I knew if I wanted to play I had to go in there and be physical and block," Kemp said. "From the start of last camp I knew I had to be physical and that’s carried on to this year."