The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors have long been a fixture of island pride, drawing crowds with their vibrant play and high‑octane offensive attacks that keep fans on the edge of their seats.
A fragile depth chart
Since taking the helm in 2022, former star quarterback Timmy Chang has been quietly reshaping the program, instilling a culture of resilience and ambition that has begun to show on the practice field.
The recent dismissal of a freshman quarterback over personal and team concerns has left the squad with just two scholarship signal‑callers, a scarcity that casts a long shadow over the upcoming season.
Enter Micah Alejado, a redshirt sophomore who burst onto the scene with record‑setting touchdown numbers last year, only to see his campaign interrupted by an ankle injury that sidelined him for several games and kept him out of spring drills.
With the injury still fresh, the team’s backup options — Bjorn Jurgensen, who has yet to see game action in his lone season with the Cavaliers, and Hazyn Botelho, who is transitioning to wide receiver — lack the experience needed to shoulder the offensive load.
Adding to the pressure, the Warriors’ schedule this fall is stacked with challenges, including four road contests spread between October 10 and November 21, beginning with a season‑opening showdown against Stanford on August 29.
The limited roster forces the coaching staff to lean heavily on Alejado’s arm while hoping that the inexperienced backups can step up when called upon, a gamble that could define the team’s fortunes.
As the Warriors prepare to travel across the country, the stakes are higher than ever, and the island community watches closely, hoping that the quarterback carousel will settle into something steady before the first whistle blows.