MĀNOA — Practicing fully healthy for the first time in 11 months, Micah Alejado let it rip on Wednesday.
The University of Hawai‘i's star quarterback was compromised in the team's 2025 season-opening win over Stanford, suffering a fractured right fibula. Still, he managed to power through the rest of the season and led the Rainbow Warriors to a 9-4 season.
After sitting out spring practices in order to let his leg heal, Alejado was fully back in the fold for the start of the team's 2026 fall camp at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on Wednesday morning. He was so excited to be back that he almost forgot to remind himself there's a full month before the team's Aug. 29 season opener, a road tilt at Stanford.
"It's fun," Alejado told reporters after practice. "We threw so much and started hurting our arms. I know me and (backup quarterback) Bjorn (Jurgensen), we're starting to feel it, but it's fun."
In 2026, Alejado's health will continue to be paramount to the team's success. The quarterback room's depth will be tested for the next month following freshman Maika Eugenio's separation from the team, which the university describes as personal and team-related issues.
While Alejado and Jurgensen return from the spring, UH added quarterbacks Isaac Phe and Hazyn Botelho to its roster. Phe is a transfer from West Virginia Wesleyan, while Botelho is a freshman from Kamehameha.
When asked if there's a path for Eugenio to return to the program in the future, Hawai‘i head coach Timmy Chang said "it's too early to tell right now, but we do wish him the best."
Also present but not participating during practice was senior star slot receiver Pofele Ashlock, who will be sidelined for a chunk of camp with an undisclosed injury.
"He's dealing with an injury right now but we're hoping to get him back shortly," Chang said. "We're just gonna keep prepping away."
Said Alejado: "A guy like Pofele is humongous for us, but he's been coaching other guys behind him. He'll be ready, and the guys behind him are ready to go. I think our guys behind us are good."
With 76 receptions for 827 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025, Ashlock was set to be Alejado's top target in 2026. Without him, Alejado sees an opportunity to build chemistry for the next four weeks for the next men up.
"I missed spring ball, so I didn't really get a lot of time with them," Alejado said of his receivers. "I think it's going to be humongous just to get the confidence, really get the flow, especially in 11-on-11. That's the biggest part where you have to succeed. Those guys will be great. I think the whole group is going to be ready to take that next step. A lot of new guys on the outside. I think inside (receivers), there's guys that've been in program for a long time, so they're ready to just go burst onto the national scene. That group is ready to go."
The rough nature of the sport clearly lends itself to injury and uncertain timetables. Alejado has certainly experienced it, and he's glad to be on the other side.
"I feel good. It's the best I've ever been so far, and I think it's been getting stronger, faster," Alejado said of his leg. "It's been moving better, and I'm just thankful for the process happened for the past six months, and it's better than 100% right now."
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
