The Hawai'i football team's training camp is starting to take shape.

It just might not be an octagon.

One of the rites of training camp was the annual pillow fight featuring first-year Warriors. An octagon ring would be set up using bedsprings.

But the practice likely will be abandoned because one of this year's newcomers, linebacker Cory Daniel, is a former mixed martial arts fighter.

Instead, the Warriors will have to find other ways to spend their rare free time during the 2 1/2 weeks of training camp, which opened yesterday. The Warriors are staying in two dance studios at the UH athletic complex. The first practice is this afternoon.

Several players brought laptop computers, although they said the studios are not equipped for wireless Internet connection.

Offensive lineman Ray Hisatake set up a card table.

Wideout Royce Pollard hooked up his Xbox console to a flat-screen television.

Several players set up sound systems.

Linebacker Josh Rice brought a guitar.

"My first camp, I was pretty nervous," said Rice, a senior. "I didn't know what was going on. I didn't know what to bring. I'm pretty comfortable now. I know what to expect. It's kind of like camping indoors. I don't mind. I can sleep anywhere."

He also is eligible to set up in the Senior Triangle, a covered lanai that connects the two dance studios. Middle linebacker Brashton Satele and defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea claimed spots near a glass door fronting the line. "Need this protection," Satele said, "in case a hurricane comes."

Satele offered advice to his younger brother, Liko.

"He asked me what to bring," Satele said. "Basically, all you need is whatever is in your locker. You just need shorts and T-shirts. They do your laundry."

Savaiigaea said: "All you do is practice, go to meetings, eat and rest. That's it. There's no reason to bring dress-up clothes."

Long-snapper Luke Ingram said he received a list from his brother, former Warrior Jake Ingram. The items?

"Fan and earplugs," he said. "And an iPod. I've got lots of reggae, lots of country, some rap and some rock. That's about it."

After months of self-monitored workouts and drills, the Warriors welcomed the countdown to Greg McMackin's second season as UH head coach.

Daniel took the scenic route to Manoa. The 2003 Castle High graduate worked, competed as an MMA fighter and played for a California junior college before transferring to UH.

"I made 24 this past February," he said, smiling. "Pretty soon I'll be a coach over here. It's been a long bumpy road. I've been chasing the dream."

Offensive tackle Kainoa LaCount signed with UH in February 2008 after playing two years at a junior college. But he did not have enough transferrable credits to play for UH in 2008 or to participate in spring training in April.

"It was pretty frustrating," said LaCount, who recently met the requirements. "I should be all right. I'm glad to be here. It's pretty fun. There are a little butterflies."

Satele, Savaiigaea and linebacker Mana Lolotai participated in a specialized training program in Arizona this summer. Satele lost 26 pounds and now weighs 238. Lolotai cut his body fat to 11 percent. And Savaiigaea lost 31 pounds.

"I weighed in at 305 today," said Savaiigaea, who missed all but one game last year because of a torn triceps. "You go there, and they push you to the limit, beyond what you think you can do. It's all about your diet, your running. They're strict on you. No carbs. No catsup. No hot sauces. No butter. No cheating. Everything is small portions. You get two snacks. It's like two slices of roast beef or chicken breast or 10 or 12 almonds. That's it. That's your snack."

He said his mother stocked up on healthful food.

"There's no sense working that hard and then throwing it all away in a couple of days," Savaiigaea said, adding, "I've been waiting for camp. I've been dreaming about it."

Quarterback Greg Alexander said: "I'm really excited to be sleeping in a big room with a bunch of stinky athletes. I'm kidding. I'm looking forward to playing."