Kaumatule healthy and ready to go

Oregon football will field a new look to its defense for 2016 with a four-man front, a departure from years of a base three-man. New defensive coordinator Brady Hoke is looking to fill those spots and a prime candidate for playing time is Canton Kaumatule, the 6-foot-7, 295-pound sophomore out of Honolulu.

Slowed by injuries during his true freshman season, the highly recruited high school prospect tells Duck Sports Authority he is ready to go in 2016.

How are you feeling first week of fall camp?

I’m excited. Everybody came here ready. It is a different feeling from last year when it was my first fall camp and came out with jitters and all that. But this year is different and I am ready to go.

How is your health this year?

Definitely right now I think I am at 100%. Last year I had a couple injuries and it really slowed me down a lot. It was very stressful for me. So I am really emphasizing stretching, hydrating and all that. Being as healthy as I can be.

You are a big, tall guy. How do you stay low and maintain leverage?

It is really just a lot of practice. I have been practicing that since probably middle school. It is one of the hardest things about being kind of tall; it is really easy to stand straight up. Here a lot of guys can take advantage of that so staying low is key.

What do you want to work on personally this season?

I have to improve everything but for me the biggest is just staying healthy. I have had too many little injuries slowing me down. The concussions then my hamstring during the spring. I have had to be in better shape because the 4-3 is a lot of running compared to the 3-4. It is just rapid fire, full speed every play.

How familiar are you with playing one technique?

My first two years of football I played nose guard and that is probably my favorite position. I am happy they put me in there at interior defensive line and I am looking forward to showing the coaches what I can do there.

So which positions will you play this year?

During spring ball they wanted me to specify one position so I was a D tackle for spring ball. Now they are rotating D tackle and nose guard kind of interchangeable.

Who are the toughest offensive linemen to go against?

Most of our O linemen are tough like Cam (Hunt), definitely one of the strongest guys. Terrell Crosby is probably our best O lineman. Everybody works really hard. There is not one O lineman that I can say is easy to get around.

Which defensive lineman will have a breakout year?

I would say Rex Manu is going to break out. He is really coming along. He has already shot his way up to the starting spot. He is one of my best friends and I am excited to see how far he goes.