Like the spelling of his surname, University of Hawaii football player Leo Koloamatangi puts everything before “I.”

His designed 100-pound weight gain during his redshirt year in 2012? “It was a collective effort,” said Koloamatangi, a senior offensive lineman.

Starting a game two weeks after undergoing thumb surgery? Koloamatangi credited athletic trainers Eric Okasaki and Brian Wong for the rapid recovery.

A week ago, head coach Nick Rolovich set up a punting competition between the offensive and defensive linemen. Koloamatangi, who was the anchor, needed a 39-yard punt to prevent his unit from doing push-ups. His punt went 42 yards. Of his winning kick, Koloamatangi said, “It wasn’t about me. It represented the team coming together and having fun.”

Of all the situations — the losing records, the injuries, the seven offensive coordinators in five seasons — the most challenging was when Koloamatangi was asked to give a speech on behalf of the seniors at this year’s team banquet. Koloamatangi usually is uneasy speaking in front of crowds. But he stepped up to the mic, delivering a recitation that ended with an ovation.

“Mentally, I thought I was talking to my family,” Koloamatangi said of his visualization strategy. “Everyone in there knew who I was and I knew who they were and I didn’t see anyone else. It was an intimate moment between me and my team.”

It also capsulized his journey from a hardscrabble background. In high school, Koloamatangi participated in the LEMO Foundation, which offers educational and life-skill programs for Northern California youths from at-risk or under-funded situations.

“The support group I had along the way was crazy,” he said. “I’m grateful for the people who were willing to help me — the multiple families back home, especially my own family, and the LEMO Foundation.”

Koloamatangi was former UH coach Norm Chow’s first high school recruit. There were three phases to Koloamatangi’s football development. The first was to add bulk to his 6-foot-5 frame. Chris Naeole, who was hired as offensive line coach in 2013, taught Koloamatangi what to specifically seek when watching football videos.

“That was one of his emphasis,” Koloamatangi said. “Eighty percent of the game is played in the film room. Of that 20 on the field, 10 is still mental. The other 10 is where you’re physically at. The chances are you wouldn’t be on the field if you weren’t physically prepared in the first place.”

In his first two seasons, Koloamatangi appeared to over-think plays. He eventually learned the balance between reacting and attacking.

“It’s one thing to study, it’s another thing to apply it,” Koloamatangi said. “Just like anything in life, application is key. We’ve harped on that through all our practices.”

Koloamatangi has played every position on the UH offensive line, even tight end. He was named to this year’s leadership council. He started 12 games this season. He has been invited to play in the NFLPA all-star game. And he is preparing for the Hawaii Bowl, the Rainbow Warriors’ first postseason appearance in six years.

“Individual things don’t matter much to me,” Koloamatangi said. “I’m happy I accomplished my goal of helping to get the program where it needs to be one step at a time. … People think there was some kind of switch this year. It was a collective effort. Things in the past had to happen for us to get to where we are now, for us to enjoy this year this much.”