This spring, the Hawaii football team’s promise — cross its heart and hope to spit — was to rest Scott Harding and Joey Iosefa.

But during the kickoff-return drill on Tuesday, Harding and Iosefa were blocking would-be tacklers.

"I don’t know what rest is," said Iosefa, a running back who averaged 31 carries a game in last season’s final four games.

Harding was the off-set returner, his fifth job for the Rainbow Warriors. He also is a slotback, punt returner, punter and holder.

"It’s just another position," Harding said of his role on kickoff returns. "It’s something that’s good for my resume."

Each spring practice, Chris Demarest gets two five-minute periods to evaluate potential players for the six special-teams units.

"He has free rein to pick whomever he wants to pick," head coach Norm Chow said of his third-year special-teams coordinator. "I think over the past two years, that third of the team has been the most consistent."

In 2012, Mike Edwards had three kickoff returns for touchdowns. In 2013, Harding’s rugby-style punts resulted in five fumble recoveries for the Warriors.

"Demo does a great job," Chow said. "His enthusiasm is infectious. That’s what special teams is supposed to be all about."

Demarest said spring practices provide an opportunity to "find guys who are on the fence, put them in dependable situations, and see if they’re going to be dependable to make plays."

Demarest said former UH safety Charles Clay’s work in practices earned him a berth on several special-team units. Clay’s success on special teams led to a spot in the rotation at safety and nickelback last year.

Demarest said three 2013 walk-ons — Josh Donovan, Mike Martin and Damien Packer — "stepped up and were able to fill roles" on special teams last year. Those three are now leaders this spring.

Demarest studies videos and live drills in search of specialists.

"I observe guys when they’re put in tough situations," Demarest said. "Are they dependable or are they not dependable? When it comes to a game, the dependable guys are the ones you want to count on to make plays for you."

Demarest said there is no specific test to measure a player’s passion for football.

"They can measure everything else in the world — height, speed, how much you can bench press," Demarest said. "They haven’t found a tool to measure heart. Do they truly love the game of football? If the game were taken away from them, would they have a hard time in life? Or will they be able to move on and do something else? That’s the kind of thing I have to find — the guys who love the game of football compared to the ones who just like it."

And that’s why in mock drafts, Harding and Iosefa appear high on Demarest’s wish lists.

"Take Scott Harding," Demarest said. "He can do a bunch of things. We have to be careful on when we use him and how we use him. I’d like to use him on every special teams. But I can’t be selfish. We have to be careful because we want him around for 13, 14 games. I have to pick and choose where I’ll be smart using him."