HONOLULU – The Hawai'i football team had eight of its players recognized as preseason All-Mountain West by Phil Steele Magazine ahead of the 2025 season.
 
Nick Cenacle headlined the group of Rainbow Warriors honored, earning a spot on the first-team as a wide receiver and on the fourth team as a punt returner. Linebacker Jamih Otis represented the 'Bows on the second team while receiver Pofele Ashlock and offensive lineman James Milovale made the third team.
 
A pair of defensive players earned spots on the third team as cornerback Virdel Edwards and safety Peter Manuma each head into their senior seasons with preseason recognition. Offensive lineman Kuao Peihopa and nickelback Elijah Palmer are on the fourth team.
 
Hawai'i opens its 2025 season against Stanford on Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex (1:30 p.m., CBS). Season tickets are currently one sale HERE.
 
Nick Cenacle, Wide Receiver (First Team (WR), Fourth Team (PR))

• Has racked up 1,072 career receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 94 receptions over 36 games.
• Led the team with 63 receptions for 721 yards and six TDs in 2024.
• Most receiving yards and receptions last season among returning Mountain West players in 2025.
• Multiple catches in each of the final 11 games last year, including four or more in eight of those. 

Jamih Otis, Linebacker (Second Team)

• Appeared in all 12 games in 2024, starting four at linebacker.
• Led the team with 55 tackles, including 39 solo.
• Also tallied five tackles for loss, two sacks, and a fumble recovery.
• Named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week after making 11 tackles while adding 2.5 TFLs and a sack vs. Delaware State on Aug. 24.

Pofele Ashlock, Wide Receiver (Third Team)

• Enters 2025 with 1,461 career receiving yards and 15 TDs on 144 receptions over two seasons.
• Has caught a pass in all 24 career games played, with multiple receptions in all but one of those.
• Second on the team with 61 receptions for 629 yards and tied for the team lead with six touchdowns in 2024.
• An FWAA Freshman All-American in 2023, catching 83 passes for 832 yards and nine TDs.

James Milovale, Offensive Lineman (Third Team)

• Appeared in all 12 games, starting the final 10 games of the season on the offensive line.
• Had eight starts at right tackle before starting the final two games of the year at left guard.
• Earned a run blocking grade of 70.8 from Pro Football Focus.
• Part of the unit that helped power the MW's third-best passing attack at 268.2 yards per game. 

Virdel Edwards II, Defensive Back (Third Team)

• Enters 2025 with 86 career tackles at UH with three interceptions and 14 PBUs.
• Missed all of the 2024 season due to injury.
• Named a team captain in 2023, starting 11 games and leading the team with nine PBUs.
• Tied for first on the team with three interceptions in 2022 while making 50 tackles.

Peter Manuma, Defensive Back (Third Team)

• Comes into the season with 200 career tackles, five interceptions and 8.5 TFLs.
• Honorable mention All-Mountain West each of the last three seasons.
• Led all safeties in the conference in overall defensive grade (82.6) and coverage grade (87.2) in 2024 according to Pro Football Focus.
• First on the team with 87 tackles and three INTs as a sophomore in 2023.

Elijah Palmer, Defensive Back (Fourth Team)

• Played in 22 games with 16 starts over his first two seasons, making 69 tackles while coming away with three interceptions.
• All-Mountain West honorable mention in 2024.
• Ranked eighth among MW cornerbacks in overall defensive grade (75.6) last year according to PFF.
• Recorded 37 tackles with two INTs in 11 games as a true freshman in 2023.

Kuao Peihopa, Offensive Lineman (Fourth Team)

• Started all 12 games at right guard in 2024, one of just two offensive players to start every game.
• Key member of the Mountain West's third-best passing attack at 268.2 yards per game.
• Made the move to the offensive side of the ball last year after started all 13 games as an interior defensive lineman in 2023.
• Recorded 22 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, in 2023 as a sophomore.