University of Hawaii running back Genta Ito has long hair, a sweet tooth for Skittles and unabashed admiration for the Seattle Seahawks.

One other thing: Ito is the Rainbow Warriors’ first Japanese national since UH became a full NCAA Division I member in 1975.

“I like it here,” Ito said following Tuesday’s second practice of training camp.

During an orientation meeting on Sunday, each player made an introductory statement. After Ito spoke, in halting English, “people were intrigued,” coach Nick Rolovich said. “He earned respect when you heard his story and the challenge he took to get here.”

Ito, who was raised in Kanagawa, learned the sport through the internet and occasional telecasts of American football games. He was a running back for three seasons at Hosei Daini High School.

“Of course, U.S. football is better,” Ito said.

He said he was looking for a community college where he might be able to play football. He considered Santa Barbara and El Camino before choosing Santa Monica College.

Tim Kaub, who was Santa Monica’s offensive coordinator for three years, was concerned about the language barrier. But after two weeks of witnessing Ito’s photographic memory and encompassing grasp of the playbook, Kaub was convinced Ito had Mensa-level football IQ. Ito played two seasons at Santa Monica before earning an associate degree with a 3.95 grade-point average.

In recommending Ito to Rolovich, Kaub said: “That guy is going to make your offense better just because he’s going to understand it better than you.”

UH wideout Devan Stubblefield recalled mistakenly assuming his new teammate was a kicker. Then Stubblefield noticed Ito’s muscular build. Ito, who is 5 feet 7 and 185 pounds, said he is capable of bench pressing 315 pounds.

Ito is slowly adjusting to the Warriors’ hybrid offense. At the end of each practice, there is so-called “Keiki Time,” when the newcomers compete against each other in scripted plays. Of the first two practices, Ito was admittedly “just nervous. I tried to get used to this environment.”

Running back Diocemy Saint Juste said Ito improved between the first and second practices. “It’ll be exciting to see what he offers to this team,” Saint Juste said.

Saint Juste said Ito is “pretty quiet, but that’s the case for the new individuals on the team. He’s coming around. … We’ve been friends since the first day, basically. Nice cat.”

Assistant coach Craig Stutzmann said: “That guy loves to play football. And he’s always smiling. I don’t know what’s going through his mind, but he seems to be having a good time.”

Although Ito is seemingly tireless in his football training, he does admit to slacking when it comes to his hair. He has not cut his hair in two years “because I’m lazy.”