Cole McDonald is one of the best quarterbacks to ever come out of the University of Hawaiʻi. His name goes along with other ex-Hawaiʻi quarterbacks such as Timmy Chang, Nick Rolovich, and Heisman-finalist Colt Brennan. McDonald has been an electrifying superstar that brought energy to Aloha Stadium in the last three years. Cole led the Rainbow Warriors to back-to-back SoFi Hawaiʻi Bowl appearances, including a 38-34 dramatic win against hated rivals BYU. While Cole McDonald has hung up his jersey at UH, and is moving on to the NFL, you will certainly be hearing his name soon again.

Cole led the Rainbow Warriors to their first 10-win season since 2010, bringing joy back to Hawaiʻi football. On January 8, 2020 Cole McDonald made an official statement via social media declaring for the NFL draft. In many of his following posts, fans could see the dual-threat QB training for the NFL Combine. McDonald led all quarterbacks at the NFL Combine in the 40 yd. dash with 4.58 seconds. Most scouts saw Cole’s strengths to be his dual-threat ability (great at passing and running the ball). He is also an expert at completing throws on the run as well as outside the pocket. However, if McDonald wants to make a name for himself, he will need to cut down on the turnovers. Cole was tied for sixth in the nation for interceptions thrown this past season, a stat one does not want to be a leader in. With a break in the action of all sports, McDonald should be looking to train into new habits to make him a top-tier professional quarterback.

The state of Hawaiʻi has been making a name for itself when it comes to their quarterbacks. Marcus Mariota (heisman winner, Las Vegas Raider, St. Louis alum) and Jordan Taʻamu (recent free-agent signee, Ole Miss, Pearl City) have also made names for themselves in the league. While former St. Louis quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins stole the spotlight, going fifth in the NFL draft,  fans can now cheer for Cole himself, as he was the 224th pick going to the Tennessee Titans. Cole McDonald knows that he suits up and competes every week for Tennessee, but his heart truly plays for the islands of Hawaiʻi.