In the argument for playing time, University of Hawaii football player Azia Seei has leverage.

At 5 feet 11 and 275 pounds, Seei is a high-energy, low-level nose tackle.

“He works hard,” UH coach Nick Rolovich said. “He loves the team. He loves Hawaii. He gives us everything he’s got. Look at him. He’s tougher to block than you think.”

Seei relies on his lower-body strength to churn his way past taller offensive linemen. Seei said new defensive line coach Ricky Logo “taught me to use my height disadvantage to stay low, to use leverage.”

During Wednesday’s scrimmage-like session, Seei powered his way into the backfield to pin quarterback Kolney Cassel for a 6-yard loss.

Seei, who was born in Honolulu but attended high school in Utah, said football was his favorite among the several sports he played. His uncle is Keith “Junior” Lopati, a former UH running back.

“I love football,” Seei said. “It’s all I knew. Go to school, go to football practice.”

Seei, who redshirted in 2017 after transferring from William Penn University, has worked intensively on his strength training. He said he can squat lift 575 pounds. “Hopefully, I can boost that up,” he said.

Torres moves to slot

There was a glitch in Dakota Torres’ plan to become the Rainbow Warriors’ No. 1 tight end this season. The Warriors’ newly implemented run-and-shoot offense does not employ one.

That necessitated a move to slotback for the 6-2, 245-pound Torres.

Torres has impressed in a position usually assigned to quicker receivers.

“It’s his character,” Rolovich said. “He’ll do whatever he can do. He’ll do things right. He’s dependable, and you can trust him. Is he a 4.4 guy? No. But as a human being, he’s 4.2.”

Torres said the run-and-shoot does not require a speedster.

“In this offense, you don’t have to be all that fast,” Torres said. “You have to know how to play the leverage and utilize whatever the defense gives you. It’s about finding the open space. You have to be unselfish in this offense, too. You have to run a certain route to get another (receiver) open. Everybody gets love in this offense.”

There was one surprise involving Torres. His mother, Leslie Torres, called to say the family would not be able to celebrate his 22nd birthday on Tuesday.

“I said, ‘that’s all right, it’s just another day,’” Torres said. “She went off that it’s not just another day. It’s her birthday, too, because she gave birth to me, and we shared that day together.”

During a meeting on Tuesday evening, Torres’ mother and family made a surprise visit to UH, bringing balloons and cupcakes.

“I was caught completely off guard,” Torres said.

Good morning for Ward

The wideouts were productive during Wednesday’s scrimmage-like session. JoJo Ward caught a 56-yard pass from Jeremy Moussa.

“It was a good ball by the quarterback,” Ward said. “I go out and do what I do best.”

Ward, who transferred from Tyler College two weeks ago, and the defensive backs engaged in friendly trash talking.

“At the end of the day, we’re all family, and we’re all doing it for each other,” Ward said.

Devan Stubblefield, a fifth-year senior, made a leaping catch for a touchdown.

“I tried to get up there,” Stubblefield said.