The University of Hawai’i had 12 players selected for the Athlon Preseason All-Mountain West team, including four members who made it to the first two teams. Wide receiver Steven McBride was named to the first team, while quarterback Brayden Schager, wide receiver Pofele Ashlock, and linebacker Jalen Smith were included in the second team.
McBride and Ashlock were the top two leading receivers for the team, with a combined total of 146 receptions, 1,856 yards, and 18 touchdowns. In his first season in the Run-and-Shoot offense, Schager led the Mountain West in passing yards (3,542) and touchdowns (26). Smith started eight games during his final season with Hawai’i and finished third on the team in tackles (67) with nine tackles-for-loss.
Five players were selected for the third team: offensive lineman Luke Felix-Fualalo, defensive lineman Ezra Evaimalo, linebacker Logan Taylor, cornerback Cam Stone, and safety Peter Manuma. Three more players made it to the fourth team – running back Tylan Hines, defensive lineman Dion Washington, and cornerback Virdel Edwards II.
Felix-Fualalo was graded as the No. 3 tackle in the Mountain West last season by Athlon Sports. Evaimalo was ranked No. 2 among interior linemen last year by Athlon Sports. Washington was ranked No. 4 among interior linemen last season by Athlon Sports after transferring from Nevada. Manuma led Hawai’i in tackles and interceptions last year and has earned honorable mention all-MW honors for three consecutive seasons. Stone has also been awarded honorable mention all-MW recognition for three years running. Taylor’s season was cut short due to injury after leading Hawai’i in tackles during his final year with the program before being injured again early into his final year at UHawaii’
