University of Hawaii linebacker Brenden Daley is a born competitor.

"I had to be the older brother," said Daley, who arrived a minute ahead of twin brother Kyle. "I had to fight. I had to get across the umbilical cord. I had to swim over my brother."

Daley smiled and then said: "It was actually a C-section, so I had to jump out. But, yes, I’m very competitive. I had to be first."

Daley is coming off the best game of his three-year, two-season career at UH. He had 10 tackles, including four in the USC backfield, and forced a fumble in last Thursday’s season opener.

"He did a very nice job," head coach Norm Chow said.

By a unanimous vote, teammates selected Daley as a co-captain for Saturday’s road game against Oregon State.

Daley’s linebacker position is in the middle; his personality is extreme.

On Daley’s chest is a tattoo of two hands holding planet Earth.

He answers to nicknames "Big Dog" and "Great White," the latter inspired by the Discovery Channel’s "Shark Week."

"He’s a monster," said defensive end Craig Cofer, Daley’s best friend. "He’s a freak."

Daley is 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, and capable of running 40 yards in 4.6 seconds. He usually leads the linebackers in post-practice "gassers" — a series of 60-yard sprints.

Cofer said Daley often arranges sessions to study football videos. Daley and Cofer provide the poke and arare.

"We eat food, watch tape and listen to music," Cofer said.

Daley said: "It’s got to be ‘Love Song’ with Rihanna featuring Future. That’s the song."

Daley was expected to make an immediate impact when he transferred from Ventura College in 2011. But he missed that season because of a broken foot.

Last year, he received a wake-up call when he was left behind for a road game after showing up tardy to a practice because his alarm did not sound. He rebounded to seize the starting job.

Daley tries to follow in the footsteps of linebacker coach Tony Tuioti, and not just because both jog around the field twice during warmups.

"We call coach Tony ‘Mr. Hype’ because he always gives sentimental speeches," Daley said. "I hear one of them, and I’m ready to go."

Daley said he enjoys the freedom to freelance while playing within the framework of defensive coordinator Thom Kaumeyer’s 4-3, 3-4 and 3-3-5 schemes.

"We have our rules and our disciplines, but (Kaumeyer) is pretty flexible," Daley said. "He told me: ‘It’s not always going to be a perfect finger-painting out there.’ I have to be flexible and improvise from time to time. I really like that."

Cofer said: "(Daley) is always prepared. He watches so much tape he knows what (opponents) are going to do even before they run it."