2020 Position Breakdown: Quarterbacks - University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics (2024)

Throughout the course of fall camp, HawaiiAthletics.com will provide a breakdown of the 2020 Rainbow Warrior football team, position-by-position, as the team prepares for its season opener atFresno State on Saturday, Oct. 24.

After a brilliant two seasons helming the Rainbow Warrior offense, Cole McDonald was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 2020 NFL Draft. Luckily, UH has a more than capable replacement. The Chevan Cordiero era has officially begun in Manoa.

Cordeiro, who also waited his turn backing-up another 2020 NFL Draft pick in Tua Tagovailoa at prep powerhouse Saint Louis School, is UH's undisputed starting quarterback heading into the season. Quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator G.J. Kinne, couldn't be happier to have the redshirt sophom*ore lead UH's Run-N-Gun offense.

"Chevan's everything you want in a quarterback," Kinne says. "He's got great accuracy and great arm talent. He's a dynamic athlete when he's in space. He's smart and studies his butt off. He's really the whole package."

Returnees

Newcomers

2019QBs lost:Cole McDonald, Zach Daniel (redshirt)

Run-N-Shoot to Run-N-Gun: UH has a new offense, but according to Kinne will continue to employ elements of the Run-N-Shoot to maximize the skills of UH's offensive players, including its quarterbacks. You can also expect a much quicker tempo.

"A lot of things have stayed the same for them," Kinne says. "Some minor details have changed but the main thing is let them be free and go operate. We're trying to get the ball out of their hands and pepper completions. We want them to just go out there and play to the best of their ability and to play as fast as possible."

A Proven Winner: Cordeiro has started four collegiate games prior to this season. UH won each of those games including a victory over Wyoming in 2018 and wins over San José State, UNLV, and Army in 2019. In his lone season as a starter at Saint Louis, he led the Crusaders to a 10-0 record en route to a state title.

Even as a sub, the Honolulu native has had a winning touch. He came off the bench to rally UH from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit versus UNLV as a true freshman and last year directed two fourth-quarter scoring drives in UH's season-opening win over Arizona.

The Backup Battle: Two quarterbacks have emerged as candidates for the backup spot: senior Kamali'i Akina and redshirt freshman Boone Abbott. Akina, who was once a freshman walk-on at Arizona State under Todd Graham, brings maturity and savvy to the position. Kinne says: "I just trust him. He's a coach's kid and you can tell that in everything he does. He's got great body language every day, he knows where to go with the ball every time and he's going to take care of the football. We're very thankful to have Kama."

Meanwhile, the 6-2 Boone provides plenty of upside. Entering his second season in the program, the Utah native is loaded with talent. "I like Boone's athleticism, his ability to scramble and keep plays alive," Kinne says. "He's a bit of a gun-slinger. Once we refine some things, he's going to be a great player."

Others To Watch: Two newcomers enter the QB room in Armani Edden and Jake Farrell. Edden, a transfer from College of the Canyons is a playmaker according to Kinne: "He's got great touch on the deep ball and he's a guy we expect to compete for the backup job when he gets back out here on the field. Farrell, meanwhile, is a true freshman and has a bright future. Kinne says: "I'm impressed with his intelligence. He does exactly the right things. We're excited to groom him and hopefully down the line he can help us." Justin Uahinui has missed some field time, but Kinne raves about the junior: "He's a guy wer'e really high on. He's done everything we've asked and he's one of the hardest workers in the position group."

All In The Family: Kamali'i Akina's father Duane has been a collegiate coach for four decades. Currently the defensive backs coach at Stanford, the elder Akina also had a five-year stint (1981-85) as a defensive coach for the Rainbow Warriors. Meanwhile, Kamali'i''s older brother Kainoa was also a collegiate quarterback, suiting up for both Eastern Michigan and Hawai'i nearly 15 years ago.

Coaches Note: G.J. Kinne was the 2010 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year while playing for Todd Graham at Tulsa before being a part of both the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants organizations….G.J. is short of Gary Joe.

The Last Word: Kinne says: "I really like this group's ability to make plays. You look at Chevan, Boone, Kama….they come out here every day and compete. They're explosive athletes and make things happen with their arms and their legs. They're very coachable. The one thing we've harped on is decision making and they're doing a great job with that."

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