Alejado Earns Mountain West's Top Preseason Honor; Four Rainbow Warriors Named All-Conference

Hawaiʻi quarterback Micah Alejado headlines the Mountain West's 2026 preseason honors after being named the conference's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Alejado is the first Rainbow Warrior to earn a preseason conference Player of the Year honor since Bryant Moniz in 2011.

Alejado also landed on the preseason All-Mountain West team alongside wide receiver Pofele Ashlock, defensive back Elijah Palmer, and linebacker Jamih Otis.

The reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Year threw for 3,106 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 66.3% of his passes last season, helping lead Hawaiʻi to a 9-4 record and a Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl victory. Ashlock, Palmer and Otis return as key pieces on both sides of the ball as the Rainbow Warriors prepare for the 2026 campaign.

Hawaiʻi opens the season Aug. 29 at Stanford before hosting UNLV in its home opener on Sept. 5.