It isn’t only some Christmas gifts that get returned in January; it is also a time devoted to the transfer of college football players trading in their scholarships and jerseys for different ones.

All across the landscape players come and players go and this is the month on the college calendar for the bulk of it.

While the University of Hawaii has annually been part of the transitory traffic, this year it comes with more concern than most because the exodus includes some of its more accomplished players.

You might expect to lose a seldom-used third-team quarterback seeking playing time. But two-year starter Dru Brown, a face of the program at last season’s conference media days?

It is not a rarity to experience the departure of a receiver well down the bench. But your most productive pass catcher, and go-to spokesman, Dylan Collie?

Then, there was the departure of defensive back Keala Santiago, a part-time starter, whose well-respected family line included some who played roles in the success of the Dick Tomey and Bob Wagner eras at UH. He might walk on at a Pac-12 program.

And, now, there is freshman offensive tackle Brandon Kipper, who saw action in 11 of 12 games his first season, got some first-team practice repetitions and figured to be in the mix for a starting job in 2018?

The 6-foot, 6-inch 270-pounder from Idaho is among the latest to depart in this deepening offseason drama.

Tweeting from @BrandonKipper, the account picturing him in a UH uniform, the former Scout.com three-star prospect posted: “First, I would like to say thank you to University of Hawaii fans, coaches and players. Thank you for all the memories, opportunities and relationships that will carry on with me for eternity. I have decided, however, that it is in my best interest to transfer schools and continue my college football/academic career somewhere else.”

Kipper added, “I am officially opening up my recruitment.”

How much should we read into him thanking former UH assistant Kefense Hynson and Oregon State for a weekend visit?

These aren’t the only players to announce they are moving on, but they are the most notable and most likely to be missed among the line that is forming at the door.

Players leave for a variety of valid reasons, of course, including family issues, homesickness, academic pursuits or to challenge themselves at a higher level. All of which is permissible since they are on one-year renewable scholarships. But it is hard to recall a time in the past decade or more at UH where it has added up to a hemorrhage of talent such as this or posed as many questions.

It was one thing that a third of the coaching staff has moved on since the season finale of a turbulent season, voluntarily or otherwise. The exodus was supposed to stop there. But players who were starters or had the potential to be is something else.

While UH is in the process of wooing recruits for the National Letter of Intent signing period that opens Feb. 7, those departing are game-proven players still with some upside. No small consideration for a program looking for its first winning season in eight years and scheduled to open its season with Navy in less than eight months.

And, unless somebody recently installed a set of revolving doors on the locker room, that should be a growing concern.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.