In an admittedly difficult decision, University of Hawaii backup quarterback Aaron Zwahlen is transferring to Murray State.
Zwahlen requested — and received — a release from his UH scholarship. He returned to his family home in Modesto, Calif., on Sunday. He said he will visit Murray State on Jan. 5, then begin classes at the Kentucky-based campus on Jan. 16.
Because Murray State competes in FCS, Zwahlen will not have to redshirt this coming season. He will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Zwahlen said the move is based largely on Murray State being a better fit for his drop-back abilities. When Zwahlen signed with the Rainbow Warriors on Feb. 6, 2013, they were running a pro-set offense.
He went on a two-year church mission before joining the Warriors in June 2015.
He redshirted that year, Norm Chow’s final season as UH head coach. This season, the Warriors’ offense featured several run-pass-option concepts.
“In high school we passed the ball a lot and did a lot of drop-back stuff,” Zwahlen said. “We didn’t do a lot of zone-read and quarterback-option type of stuff.”
Zwahlen said he struggled with his decision.
“I love everything about Hawaii,” Zwahlen said. “I love the people. I love the culture. I love the family mentality that we all have, and the relationships I’ve built. But going forward, my capabilities playing quarterback didn’t fit super well here. … I wanted to go somewhere where I felt my capabilities as a quarterback would be best utilized and where I could progress the best. I feel Murray State is the school I could do that.”
None of the three scholarship quarterbacks from this past spring will be on the 2017 roster. Ikaika Woolsey graduated this month. Beau Reilly is transferring to Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Zwahlen played in one game this past season, completing 3-of-10 passes for 32 yards against San Diego State.
“I love all these guys and I don’t want to leave them,” Zwhalen said. “I think this team and this program are going to be really successful in the future. It didn’t make the decision any easier. I feel I had to do it and pull the trigger and I couldn’t wait”
Dru Brown, who was 6-4 as a starter this year, will be a junior next season. Cole McDonald, Cole Brownholtz and Kyle Gallup redshirted this past season.
Head coach Nick Rolovich said Zwahlen was “a fantastic teammate, and I wish him the best of luck. He’s definitely got the ability to play. This is an opportunity for him.”
