Former University of Hawai'i quarterback
Cole McDonald was picked in the seventh round by the Tennessee Titans Saturday on the final day of the NFL Draft. McDonald was the 224
th overall selection.
In addition, two other former Rainbow Warriors signed as undrafted free agents - defensive back
Rojesterman Farris II with the Atlanta Falcons and wide receiver
JoJo Ward with the Arizona Cardinals.
McDonald is the 73
rd player in UH history to be selected in the NFL Draft and just the third quarterback taken. Colt Brennan went in the sixth round to the Washington Redskins in 2008 and Larry Arnold was picked in the 12
thround by the Los Angeles Rams in 1970.
He is also the sixth former Rainbow Warrior taken by the Titans/Houston Oilers organization and first since Ryan Mouton in 2009. Other UH drafted players include Travis LaBoy (2004), Marco Johnson (1988), Mike Akiu (1985), and Gary Allen (1982).
McDonald led the Warriors to a 10-5 record in 2019 and was named second-team all-Mountain West. He was selected as the Most Valuable Player of the SoFi Hawai'i Bowl after throwing for a career-high 493 yards and four touchdowns in UH's victory. The three-year letterman helped Hawai'i capture the West Division of MW and advance to the conference championship game.
McDonald ranked in the Top 10 nationally in several categories including passing yards (4,135; 4th), total offense (322.7; 6th), points responsible for (242; 7th), and passing touchdowns (33; 8th), all of which topped the Mountain West. He also led the MW in passing efficiency (147.6).
Following the season, McDonald was named the team's Coach June Jones Offensive MVP and was also a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award after becoming just the fourth UH quarterback to throw for more than 4,000 yards in a season. Over his career, he threw for 8,032 yards and 70 touchdowns and rushed for 880 yards and 12 scores.
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