Hawaii hit hard by departures
Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich led his team to a bowl win during his first season in 2016, but he followed it up with a disappointing 3-9 record during the 2017 campaign.
After some key player departures, now Rolovich is working to get the team back on track.
As a result, rebuilding Hawaii is ranked No. 116 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings.
Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team.
Hawaii
Nick Rolovich (10-16, entering third season; 10-16 overall)
3-9, 1-7 in Mountain West, tied for fifth in West Division
Hawaii seemed to have the ingredients needed to post backto-back winning season, an elusive level of sustained success for the program. However, a strong injury bug and a lack of depth shut down any chance of making another postseason run.
After kicking off the season with wins at UMass and at home against Western Carolina, Hawaii's only other victory was against San Jose State.
3 Allen, S Trayvon Henderson, DL Meffy Koloamatangi
WR John Ursua, LB Jahlani Tavai, DL Viane Moala
Junior Jahlani Tavai anchors a strong linebacker corps that also returns starters Solomon Matautia, Jeremiah Pritchard and Malachi Mageo.
The offense has been hit hard by departures, but receiver John Ursua is a proven playmaker who is healthy and back in the rotation.
The offense has been hit hard, with 12 players who made multiple starts last season departing the program.
The starting quarterback job is up for grabs, with sophomore Cole McDonald the sole returning letterman.
The team will have to replace five offensive linemen with starting experience and single-season rushing leader Diocemy Saint Juste.
Rolovich shook up his staff and has continued solid recruiting efforts during the offseason that should help balance out the roster. However, the lack of a clear starting quarterback and question marks throughout the rest of the offense will likely make it difficult to reach six wins.