HAWAII OFFENSE

Outlook: The Pokemon hunts, water-balloon fights and Running Man dance-offs were games of three-card monte, diversions for opposing spies while the Warriors worked on building a diverse offense. This summer, receivers took turns aligning wide and near. Makoa Camanse-Stevens, who can play slot and wideout, even dabbled at tight end. Leo Koloamatangi practiced at every line position. Their best blocker, Dejon Allen, cemented his move from guard to the blind side. The center now calls the cadences. The Warriors even implemented personnel groups that can play at different tempos and temperaments, fast or furious. Three to watch are Ikaika Woolsey, who gets his second chance to open a season at quarterback (after an injury-stained 2014 casmpaign); running back Diocemy Saint Juste, who has recovered from hamstring issues that sidelined him in 2015, and 6-2 tight end Dakota Torres, who has joked his abs have “ice over the six-pack.” Tight ends coach Mayur Chaudhari said “it’s great to have the 6-5 guy, in theory, but Dakota can get under people’s pads. He has a good base. He has a lot of grit. He just finds ways to get things done.” And while Torres is effective on slip screens and check-down routes, he’s at his best blocking linebackers. “That’s the money-maker right there,” Torres said. “I love to block.”

HAWAII DEFENSE

Outlook: In his first stint as UH defensive coordinator in the early 2000s, Kevin Lempa built a defense on rugged corners, heat-seeking safeties, tall and athletic defensive ends, and big inside linebackers. Lempa, who rejoined in December, inherited the pieces to reassemble that scheme. The first step was to reconfigure the base from an odd front to a 4-3. Defensive ends Makoa Kema-Kaleiwahea, David Manoa and Meffy Kolamatangi have filled out and now are as skilled stopping the run as they are obscuring the peripheral passing lanes. Trayvon Henderson has fully recovered from a torn ACL to create a three-safety rotation with Daniel Lewis and Damien Packer. Austin Gerard has been a pleasant surprise as the fourth safety. Jahlani Tavai was emerging as a promising edge rusher before moving to the middle linebacker, where it was felt his range and leadership were better suited.

HAWAII SPECIALISTS

Outlook: The Warriors might be the only team in the country paying full scholarships to both a long-snapper and short-snapper. Noah Borden and Brodie Nakama have earned their tuition; they did not have an errant snap in 2015. Rigo Sanchez is a triple threat as a punter, point-scoring kicker and on kickoffs. But Alex Trifonovitch might ease Sanchez’s workload, if not on punts, at least on kickoffs. Special teams coordinator Mayur Chaudhari traces his coaching ancestry to USC’s John Baxter, who is regarded as the top kick-blocking coach in the country.

CALIFORNIA OFFENSE (EDGE)

Outlook: Last year’s top six receivers departed, quarterback Jared Goff was the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and offensive coordinator Tony Franklin took the same position at Middle Tennessee State. The quarterback competition in the spring became moot when Davis Webb transferred from Texas Tech. Because Webb has a bachelor’s degree, he does not have to redshirt this season. In his first two seasons, Webb threw 46 TD passes against 22 interceptions. But he suffered an ankle injury near the end of his sophomore season, and ceded Tech’s starting job — for good, apparently — to Patrick Mahomes. Webb is tall and elusive with a strong arm and quick release. Mel Kiper Jr. rates Webb as the top senior quarterback in the country. Melquise Stovall, a 4-star recruit, was one of four receivers to sign in February. Three months later, Demitris Robinson, a 5-star recruit and the No. 1-ranked receiver in the country, signed a scholarship agreement to play for the Bears this season. New coordinator Jake Spavital’s offense will have many similarities to Franklin’s Bear Raid. Linemen will be in 2-point stances so as not to tip off run-pass-option choices and the pace will increase. The Bears ran a play every 22.9 seconds last year; in spring training, they ran 250 plays each practice. Spavital coached Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M.

CALIFORNIA DEFENSE (EDGE)

Outlook: The already erratic defense was expected to revolve around multi-purpose linebacker Hardy Nickerson Jr. and safety Damariay Drew. But Nickerson, who earned his bachelor’s degree, opted to transfer to Illinois, where his father was named the defensive coordinator. Drew suffered an ACL injury during the offseason, ending his Cal career. Raymond Davison is listed as Nickerson’s successor at middle linebacker. But in Cal’s schemes, the linebackers are interchangeable and can play inside, outside and on the line. The three linebackers are first-time starters. Darius Allensworth is the best cover defender. Evan Rambo and Luke Rubenzer, a converted quarterback, will split time at Drew’s vacated position. Cameron Walker subs for a linebacker when the Bears go to nickel package against spread formations. The Bears usually align with the d-tackles opposite the guards and the middle linebacker across the center. James Looney, who can bench 405 pounds, is a gap eater.

CALIFORNIA SPECIALISTS (EDGE)

Outlook: Whoever returns kickoffs will return them quickly. Tre Watson has clocked sub-4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Melquise Stovall ran the shuttle in 4.15 seconds. As a high school senior, Khalfani Muhammad ran 100 meters in 10.22 seconds. According to HUDL, punt returner Vic Wharton is capable of running the 40 in 4.38 seconds. Last season, Matt Anderson was 18-of-21 on field-goal attempts, including 13 of his final 14.