University of Hawaii football receiver Marcus Kemp is the sort who takes his work home.
Kemp clutches a football in his house, while he’s watching television, and when he cooks.
Some count sheep before sleeping. Kemp will toss a pigskin to himself while in bed.
"It’s good to get a feel for the football, especially for this first game when you haven’t played yet and your nerves are running," Kemp said.
Kemp was used situationally — noticeably on Hail Mary plays — as a freshman in 2013.
Chris Gant completed his eligibility at the end of that season, Kemp said, "and Iwas the next guy up."
Kemp trained intensively to claim the X receiver’s position on the single side of the formation. He maintained that spot through three weeks of training camp and practices this week ahead of Saturday’s opener against Washington.
"I made sure Iwas ready to play that position," Kemp said.
Last year’s recruiting class featured four heralded receivers — Vasquez Haynes, Keith Kirkwood, Ammon Barker and Kemp.
This summer, Kirkwood transferred to Temple. Haynes had surgery on his right shoulder. Barker redshirted in 2013.
Kemp, who was raised in Utah, stayed in Hawaii for all but the Fourth of July weekend this summer. After workout sessions, he caught passes from teammates or the JUGSmachine.
"Imiss my family," Kemp said, "but this is what I’m doing right now. My life right now is football for Hawaii and school. If that’s all the time Ihave to do, that’s what I’ll do with all my time."
All-State reunion
In 2009, Beau Yap of Kamehameha Schools and Hau’oli Jamora of Kahuku High were the co-defensive players of the year.
This Saturday, they will be on opposite teams when Hawaii plays Washington. Yap is the Warriors’ starting defensive end. Hau’oli Kikaha, as he is now known, is the Huskies’ star pass-rusher.
After Kamehameha defeated Kahuku in the 2009 state championship game, the two players chatted. They became friends while preparing for the next week’s all-star game.
"He’s a cool guy," Yap said. "It’s pretty cool how we’re starting our last season against each other."
Lataimua can bring it
Defensive coordinator Kevin Clune continues to praise inside linebacker Tevita Lataimua.
"He’s got quickness," Clune said. "He’s got strength. He’s got pop. He’s got a linebacker’s mentality. He has a lot of intangibles that make him a good football player. He has the desire to get to the football. And he can hit."
DT Andrade ailing
Defensive tackle Mike Andrade‘s outlook is in question because of a back injury.
Andrade did not practice with the Warriors all summer.
