As a building block for the Hawaii defensive line, Moses Samia knows the importance of a solid foundation.

The senior returns as a veteran leader for a Rainbow Warriors defensive front undergoing a renovation and relies on the power stored in his legs to hold up against double teams in the middle of the line of scrimmage.

"That’s everything, because you’re pushing 600 pounds every play," Samia said "It takes a toll on you."

To do his job generating a surge up front, Samia puts in work in the weight room, where he ranks among the team leaders with a 585-pound squat.

He’ll also be counted on to help shoulder the load up front in the Warriors’ new 3-4 scheme. The Saint Louis graduate posted 29 total tackles, including 612 for losses, in nine games playing in UH’s 4-3 system last year and has grown more comfortable with defensive coordinator Kevin Clune’s design this spring.

"The concepts and terminology are different, a little different on the technique, but that’s why we have spring," Samia said on Tuesday following the 13th of UH’s 15 spring sessions.

"We’re finally picking it up. Kind of started off slow, but now that we’re heading toward the end of spring, we’re picking up the techniques and flying around and having more fun."

Work can be fun for Samia as friendly internal competition fuels the Warriors’ weightlifting sessions. While Samia has increased his max on the squat over the years, he’s still chasing fellow defensive tackle Calen Friel for the lead among the linemen.

"Every day is competition in the weight room, just like on the field," Samia said. "Coach (Gary) Beemer simulates the toughness, the edge you have to have and brings that into the weight room."

Samia spent quite a bit of time in a squatting position as a catcher from his days in youth baseball ("I was the biggest one, so they’d put me in the back and have me block the balls," he said.) through an All-State career at Saint Louis.

Football became his focus once he signed with UH and worked his way back from a knee injury that limited him to two games in 2012 to become a leader on a seasoned UH defensive line.

"He’s mature and he understands what we needs to do," UH coach Norm Chow said. "You don’t hear much from him. He just does his job."

After a day spent carrying weighty loads on the field, in the classroom and in the weight room, Samia looks forward to his pick-me-up waiting at home.

His days often begin with a 4:30 a.m. wake up and a drive from Kapolei to Manoa. After practice, classes and meetings, the trek back across town ends with family time with his wife, Janna, and two children.

"We’re (on campus) all day, so when I go home we have a lot of fun," Samia said.

"If I’m having a bad day, when I go home I forget about everything. It’s just a different world."

Whether in his role as a senior with the Warriors or as a father to 4-year-old daughter Jahtjana and 6-month-old son Matthias, Samia knows he carries the responsibility of knowing younger eyes are watching.

"I have to set the example here and set the example at home," Samia said. "Because they’re looking up to me."