In a decision that was widely expected, Max Wittek has been named the University of Hawaii football team’s No. 1 quarterback, the Star-Advertiser has confirmed.
All signs were pointing that way when Wittek took the majority of reps in the final two weeks of spring training, was voted co-captain by teammates, and was named to the Phil Steele magazine’s preseason All-Mountain West Conference’s first team.
The Warriors are not expected to make an official announcement, but Wittek will take the first snap when training camp opens in August. As one coach noted, the Warriors are not going to announce the starting right guard, either.
Wittek was at USC for three years before requesting — and receiving — a release from his football scholarship. He did not earn a bachelor’s degree, an achievement that would have allowed him to transfer without redshirting at his new school. Instead, Wittek joined the Warriors as a walk-on in August 2014. He paid for his tuition, as well as school and living expenses, the past academic year. Despite redshirting last year, he paid for his travel to the six road games.
The Warriors also are expected to give extended reps to Ikaika Woolsey, Beau Reilly and Aaron Zwahlen.
Woolsey, a fifth-year junior, started 12 of 13 games in 2014.
Reilly, a second-year freshman, initially signed with Colorado State in February 2011. He then went on a two-year church mission. After returning, he requested a release from CSU. Despite making the final two road trips, Reilly redshirted in 2014.
Zwahlen was ranked in ESPN’s top 300 when he signed with the Warriors in February 2013. He completed a two-year church mission last month, and is enrolled in UH’s Summer Session I.
The four quarterbacks are participating in the offseason conditioning program that began Monday.