Hawaii quarterback Brayden Shager (13) throws a pass during an NCAA football game against San Diego State on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Kyosung Jung)
University of Hawaii senior quarterback Brayden Shager sat down with the Maui News on Monday to talk about his recent election to this year’s Allstate AFCA Good Works team, facing off against the Boise State Broncos this weekend, what his future holds, and what the future holds for the Mountain West and the University of Hawaii The NIL and the transfer portal.
Schager currently ranks fifth all-time in UH history for passing yards (7,833 yards) and fifth all-time in passing touchdowns (52 touchdowns).
Chag could move ahead of Cole McDonald this Saturday for fourth all-time in UH history for passing yards with 199 against the No. 17 ranked team in the country, the Boise State Broncos.
“We just have to regroup,” Schager said of the close loss to San Diego State last weekend. He added: “It always seems like we’re only two games away, which is frustrating, but I think we’re playing well at home. It’ll be exciting to play against a really good team this week, a nationally ranked team. It’s another opportunity for us to go and get a big win.” ”
Chag was elected last week to this year’s Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which recognizes 22 student-athletes and one coach with the highest community service honors in college football.
With the team’s selection, Schagher is eligible for the Allstate Wuerffel Cup, the winner of which will be announced on December 12. He is one of 11 FBS players eligible for the award, which is determined by voting at: https://promo. espn. com/espn/contests/allstate/2024/.
Schager said the selection to the team and the opportunity to win the Wuerffel Cup is an opportunity that is the result of years of work. Schager said it’s amazing to see all the hard work he and his family have put into the community through the Highland Park Buddy Bowl.
The Highland Park Buddy Bowl is something Schager and his family have put their heart and soul into since 2017. “The HP Buddy Bowl evolved from the vision of a 14-year-old North Texas middle school football player (Brayden Schager) and his then-team. 12 year old sister (Brielle Schagher). In November 2016, they sat around the kitchen table talking about how football is king in Texas, but not everyone gets the chance to play.
“They decided that the community needed a game that would put some very special athletes in a place where they wouldn’t normally be,” the HP Buddy Bowl website reads about creating the annual event in May in Highland Park, Texas. “The Buddy Bowl, in particular, is very dear to us and it’s great to be recognized,” Chager said of the nomination. “I think I was able to transfer some things from what I did in Dallas to here.” Shager donated his time in Hawaii to help with the Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine, going to different Hawaiian islands to coach football, and getting out into the community.
Shager was also a camp counselor for the 2024 Manning Passing Academy last June. Participation is something Chagger says Rainbow Warriors coach Timmy Chang preaches to his players.
“I’m going to try to play football as long as I can,” Schager, an entrepreneur, said of his future after his senior season. “After that I think I want to get into agribusiness, or something like that.”
Being a freshman at UH the year Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) for collegiate football was introduced. Schager had a unique perspective on what paid college athletes could do in the sports landscape.
“It’s been pretty cool to see it develop,” Schager said. “It’s been a lot different from my freshman year to now. It’s crazy, obviously at some other schools they spend a lot of money, but it’s also great to see local brands and things getting involved here in Hawaii.”
The other aspect of NIL is the ability for teams and players to enter the transfer portal and change their team.
Shager considered entering the transfer portal in December 2023, but ultimately decided to opt out of the portal and stick with UH for his senior season.
“It brings a different aspect,” Shager said of Gateway. “You have agents and a lot of people asking you for money or whatever. There’s always a lot of people telling you what to do with the transfer portal. It’s a very interesting part of college football and it’s a lot like free agency in the NFL.” .
Two weeks ago, the Mountain West Conference lost four members to the Pac-10. The seven remaining Mountain West schools have signed a memorandum of understanding to remain in the league, including Air Force, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, Wyoming and Hawaii.
Hawaii is a partial member, but the conference will have two years to add two full teams by 2028, according to NCAA rules.
“I think it’s a really unique place, and it’s a really unique opportunity to host Hawaii in a conference,” Schager said of Hawaii remaining in the Mountain West as a partial member.
