Despite notable absence, Hawaii football opens 2024 fall camp with continuity

In 2022, the University of Hawaii football team was breaking in a new coach.

In 2023, the Rainbow Warriors were breaking in a new offense.

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Almost all systems seemed to be a go for the ‘Bows in its first day of fall camp on Wednesday at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, one month in advance of the team’s season opener against Delaware State.

“Any college coach and any team having so many returning guys, offense, defense, special teams, they’re gonna know the system, where to line up, the simple things of what they’re doing every day, where they’re going, it all plays into factor. The continuity’s really good,” head coach Timmy Chang said following practice on Wednesday. “Them having an understanding now, it’s about teaching the younger guys, it’s developmental. … Some of the guys that have been here for two years, three years with 20 games under their belt, they know what it looks like.”

As an offense, Hawaii returns starting quarterback Brayden Schager, three of its top four rushers and six of its top receivers, although leading receiver Steven McBride is indefinitely suspended following a recent arrest. The case was reclassified to two counts of petty misdemeanor abuse and he was released.

When asked about McBride on Wednesday, Chang offered that he “can’t talk about any of the details, nor do I know a lot or any of the details.”

As for the players present on Wednesday, Chang was pleased with what he saw, particularly from his most important position group.

“The quarterback room is really good. Brayden is No. 1, he’s a guy that played at a high level, especially towards the end of the year last year, gaining that momentum,” Chang said. “We expect him in his second year (as the full-time starter) to get his feet underneath him and understand his reads. He sees a lot of things and we expect him to be the guy. But 2, 3, 4 with Jake (Farrell), Micah (Alejado) and John (Keawe Sagapolutele), they’re really good guys. But the four guys, they can all function at a high level.”

Competition for Schager’s backup is expected to carry into camp. The ‘Bows plan to practice daily leading up to Saturday’s first fall scrimmage.