At the end of Thursday’s football practice, the final one of this season, Hawaii coach Norm Chow recited the numbers to his players.

Of the world’s population of 7 billion, only 10,455 are FBS players.

"It’s a privilege to play this sport at this level," Chow said.

Then noting he was one of 123 FBS head coaches, Chow thanked his players, saying he appreciated them.

Afterward, Chow spoke of the mesh of players his staff inherited and recruited to form the 2013 Rainbow Warriors.

In particular, Chow praised the senior class. The Rainbow Warriors play Army in the season-finale Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

"Each is very special," Chow said. "I love these players."

Here are three of their stories:

Quarterback Sean Schroeder remembers The Drive.

One day this past spring, with a rare break from school and football obligations, Schroeder took time to stop and smell the plumeria.

"It’s wonderful here," Schroeder said of exploring Oahu. "It’s very unique. You’d be dumb not to embrace it. It’s full of great people. They’re welcoming. That spirit of ohana, you feel that everywhere you go. It’s a great place to be, coupled with the natural beauty of the island."

In the 50th state, it is said, the most popular person is UH’s backup quarterback. Since earning a degree from Duke and transferring to UH in June 2012, Schroeder has been the No. 1 quarterback for 18 games. He has more starts than Nick Rolovich, Tyler Graunke and Greg Alexander.

"It’s like any other program, there’s going to be scrutiny — pressure, so to speak — on the quarterback," Schroeder said. It can be more intense, no doubt, when the team is winless.

Schroeder started 11 games in 2012, but then ceded the No. 1 position because of a back injury that required surgery. Although he was a co-captain last year, he was not named to the 17-player leadership council in training camp.

Taylor Graham started the first three games before suffering a shoulder injury. In the fourth game, Schroeder entered in the third quarter and nearly pulled off a comeback from a 39-point deficit against Fresno State. After that, it was Schroeder’s job. While the losses mounted, his respect grew — in part because of the numerous late hits he absorbed, in part because of his glowing statistics. He passed for 499 yards and six touchdowns against Wyoming.

"Obviously, we’ve had some tough times, but I’m going to look back with fond memories," Schroeder said. "I’ve had a great time, and met a lot of great people, and had a lot of great relationships."

Last week, Schroeder completed work on his master’s degree in human resources.

"I don’t look back at my decision (to transfer from Duke) with any regrets. I’m glad I made the decision to come here."

They grew up an ocean apart — linebacker Art Laurel is a Leilehua High graduate, fullback Marcus Langkilde was raised in California — but the first cousins will end their UH careers on the same senior night.

"It’s been fun," Langkilde said.

Both will leave UH with degrees in family resources. Langkilde is scheduled to graduate next summer. Laurel, who already has a bachelor’s degree in sociology, will finish his second major in December.

They are best friends and roommates on road trips. Their best memories were family gatherings in Hawaii. They recalled playing a boxing game in which one player was Batman and the other the Penguin. Later, they tried to emulate that game, against each other, with boxing gloves.

"Art and I fought, and I got knocked out," Langkilde said. "And then Art and his brother (Clayton, former UH lineman) fought, and he got knocked out. It was one of the funniest things."

Laurel said: "It’s been good to be on the same team."

Wide receiver Chris Gant is living the dream — actually, three dreams.

Two older brothers had football aspirations. "One took the school route, the other took the family route," Gant said. "They fell short of their dreams, and I’m still living mine. But I give them credit for showing me the way of what a dream takes. I learned from their experiences and my own experiences."

Gant said his older brothers have been supportive, offering advice and a sounding board. Their best tip? "It’s not about how many times you’re knocked down, it’s how many times you get up after being knocked down," Gant said.

Gant attended junior college for two seasons in which he received little peer guidance. That changed when he joined UH in 2011.

"Royce Pollard and Joe Avery showed me the ropes of the run-and-shoot," Gant said of the former UH receivers. "Royce Pollard treated me like a brother. He told me straight up when I came in: ‘I’m going to teach you my position. If you’re man enough to take it, then you’re man enough and I respect that.’ "

This year, Gant was named to the leadership council.

"They gave me the opportunity to be a leader, and I took it," Gant said. "I want to help others the way Royce Pollard and Joe Avery helped me."

Gant is scheduled to graduate in December with a degree in sociology.

The rest of the seniors:

Kamalani Alo
Linebacker
Hauula
Graduation: Dec. 21 in family resources
Story: He has not missed a game in his four-year career. He received the most votes from teammates in polling for the leadership council.

Ho’oikaika Cavaco-Amoy
Defensive end
Waimanalo
Story: He earned a rotation spot on the defensive line in 2012. This past summer, he was awarded a scholarship.

Charles Clay
Safety
Hilo
Graduation: Dec. 21 in environmental studies
Story: After transferring from SMU, he switched from wideout to safety. He also can play nickelback, and he is one of the top special-teams players. He received a scholarship in the spring.
Best UH memory: "This whole season. This is the closest team I’ve been on."

Craig Cofer
Defensive end
Livermore, Calif.
Graduation: Dec. 21 in business marketing
Story: He has played in 24 games at both tight end and defensive end. He is the team’s strongest tight end.
Best UH memory: "Being with all the boys here. That’s like an ongoing memory, a living memory."

George Daily-Lyles
Defensive end
Long Beach, Calif.
Graduation: Dec. 21 in family resources
Story: He played middle linebacker his first three seasons, starting in two openers against USC, before moving to defensive end this year.
Best UH memory: "It probably would be my first game against USC my redshirt freshman year. I finally got to play a little football after taking a year off (while redshirting). It was a good memory, something I’ll always hold onto."

Brenden Daley
Middle linebacker
Moorpark, Calif.
Graduation: Dec. 21 in sociology
Story: Emerged as the starting middle linebacker in the final third of the 2012 season.
Best UH memory: "Sitting on that little sculpture (outside the locker room) last year with Luke Ingram talking about his favorite UH memory."

Cecil Doe
Wide receiver
Maple Grove, Minn.
Graduation: Dec. 21 in communicology
Story: He has been an important contributor on scout team. He also is a talented video producer.
Best UH memory: "My recruiting visit. Prior to coming over here, I didn’t know much about Hawaii. I think it was the best thing I ever did."

Clark Evans
Tight end
Tustin, Calif.
Graduation: Dec. 21 in sociology
Story: A former quarterback at Colorado, Evans is second among Mountain West Conference tight ends in receptions with 37 this season.
Best UH memory: "All the times with the guys out here. I can’t really think of one (memory) specifically. I just love all the guys out here. These memories I’ll always keep with me."

Josh Gist
Defensive back
Tega Cay, S.C.
Graduation: Dec. 21 in history
Story: Valuable member of the scout team.
Best UH memory: "Probably when I first got to suit up (for a game). It was homecoming."

John Hardy-Tuliau
Safety
Temecula, Calif.
Graduation: May 2014 in kinesiology
Story: He has played corner, safety and nickelback. He has blocked seven kicks, with three parlayed into touchdowns.
Best UH memory: "Going to Sheraton Hawaii Bowl (in 2010)."

Daniel Masifilo
Cornerback
Ewa Beach
Graduation: May 2014 in sociology
Story: The Arizona State transfer played wideout in the first half of this season before moving to cornerback.
Best UH memory: "Hanging with the guys in the summer and riding with them all season."

Siasau Matagiese
Defensive tackle
Waimea
Graduation: Dec. 21 in human resources
Story: After transferring from Portland State, he joined UH as a walk-on. He eventually earned a scholarship and developed into a starter and team leader.
Best UH memory: "The shootout with USC when Kealoha (Pilares) played. That was a crazy game to watch. We should have beaten them."

Mike Milovale
Offensive tackle
Seaside, Calif.
Graduation: August 2014 in sociology
Story: The junior-college transfer has played both guard and tackle positions.
Best UH memory: "Hanging out with the boys."

Billy Ray Stutzmann
Wide receiver
Honolulu
Graduation: Dec. 21 in psychology
Story: Skipped his final semester at Saint Louis School to enroll at UH in January 2009. He is 17th in school history with 1,765 receiving yards.
Best UH memory: "The whole thing. I had a blast the whole five years."

Iuta Tepa
Defensive end
Long Beach, Calif.
Graduation: May 2014 in sociology
Story: The UCLA transfer is part of the rotation on the defensive line.
Best UH memory: "The hikes and going to the beach. Seeing the sights is really relaxing. That has to be my favorite memory besides being with my team."

Tavita Woodard
Defensive end
Honolulu
Graduation: Dec. 11 in sociology
Story: Woodard overcame injuries to become a top pass-rusher in 2012. He was a key defender and leader this year.
Best UH memory: "Just building long, lasting friendships with these guys. I’m not going to forget the memories and bonds we’ve created in my three years here."