Four UH players earn preseason all-conference honors at Mountain West media days

LAS VEGAS (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Old Trapper Mountain West Football Media Days began Wednesday at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas with big honors for several University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

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Homecoming for Bishop Gorman alums

The four players representing Hawaii — quarterback Micah Alejado, running back Cam Barfield, linebacker Jamih Otis and defensive back Elijah Palmer — shared a full-circle moment as they returned to Las Vegas, where they played together at Bishop Gorman High School.

“It’s wild to see just how far we’ve come, not just as football players, but as men,” Palmer said. “All of growing up, we’ve seen each other at an immature state and now we’re mature, and all of us are going on with our lives and doing well, and it’s a great thing especially with UH giving us the opportunity to represent the H.”

The players took new NCAA photos and joined the Mountain West live show Wednesday.

Preseason All-Conference honors

The day started off on a high note when four Hawaii players were named to the Preseason All-Conference list: Alejado, Otis, Palmer, and wide receiver Pofele Ashlock.

Sophomore Alejado was also named Preseason Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

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Last season, Alejado was named Mountain West Freshman of the Year and led the conference in passing touchdowns.

“It’s a blessing. Honestly it is, just to have that respect from everyone who voted,” Alejado said. “But like I said earlier, I haven’t done anything yet in 2026. Our team hasn’t done anything yet in 2026, so it’s our mission to go prove what we’re worth.”

Commissioner on conference changes

Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez introduced the new-look conference, which added Northern Illinois, North Dakota State and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).

Nevarez also said the conference will not release preseason team rankings this year — a move she said will allow teams to start the season without heightened or lowered expectations.

During the second and final media day Thursday, head coach Timmy Chang will take the podium alongside the other Mountain West coaches.

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