Quarterback power rankings: Best college football quarterbacks of 2019

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers throws a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The Clemson Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 44-16. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

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SAN DIEGO, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Cole McDonald #13 of the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors looks to throw the ball in the first half against the San Diego State Aztecs at SDCCU Stadium on November 24, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /

22. Cole McDonald, Hawaii

For a quarterback outside the Power Five and located well off the west coast of the United States, Hawaii’s Cole McDonald enters the top quarterbacks at No. 22, given his promising first full season as the starter.

McDonald threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns as a sophomore, with just two games at 200 yards or fewer in 13 starts. He was especially crisp to open the year, compiling 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions on over a 66 percent completion percentage to open the first three games.

A drop-off happened in the second half of the season, however, which capped McDonald’s season. He had games with completion percentages of 40, 46.7, 50 and 51.4. There was a 63-percent mark for 452 yards against San Diego State, but it proved to be an outlier down the stretch.

So McDonald has the momentum to regain as a junior for the Rainbow Warriors. As the obvious focal point of the offense, the team’s success will ride on his throwing arm, especially after a 2-5 record in 2018’s final seven games. They were 5-1 before his statistical drop-off.

If McDonald has a complete season, he can rise up the quarterback rankings and enter the awards conversation by December. The talent is there, but he needs more consistent production.