Cameron Friel is looking to put UNLV, Hawaii back on the map
KAILUA, Hawaii (BVM) – Kailua senior quarterback Cameron Friel watched a lot of Marcus Mariota growing up. Not only because the pair both hail from Hawaii, but because of a similar playstyle that has Friel on track to achieve his dreams.
Rivals has Friel listed as a dual-threat quarterback, but the 6-foot-4 signal-caller wouldn’t necessarily categorize himself as such.
“I wouldn’t really call myself a dual-threat,” Friel said. “I know Rivals has me ranked as a dual-threat, but 247 has me ranked as a pro-style (quarterback). I just have the ability to remain calm in the pocket and deliver an accurate ball as well as using my legs when I need it.”
Friel transferred from St. Louis to Kailua for the 2019 season where he threw for 1,694 yards and 19 touchdowns in his first season with the Surfriders. Hawaii has postponed the 2020 fall season until January, leaving Friel’s senior campaign in limbo, but the strong-armed quarterback has stayed busy.
PTPSports hosted a National College Showcase in Utah from Oct. 29-31 where “some of the best unknown talents” from across the U.S. are invited to compete in front of coaches from over 270 colleges. National Preps, Rivals, Gatorade and Highlight Academy were also present during the three-day, full-padded camp.
Friel said he has heard from multiple college coaches during his recruiting process that it’s “risky” to recruit him because he might not have a senior season, therefore missing out on game reps that other quarterbacks are getting.
But his performance at the National College Showcase, earning quarterback MVP, proved this notion to be nonsense.
“To be honored at the end of the camp with quarterback MVP means a lot,” Friel said. “It shows that even though we don’t have a season down here in Hawaii, I haven’t stopped working.”
The showcase was important for Friel to continue to prove his worth as a Division I prospect, but more so for his fellow Islanders. Friel has used the hashtag “HAWAIIvsEVERYBODY” on Twitter, which alludes to the difficulty of getting recruited from the Island.
This camp really was the definition of 808 vs Everybody! We came with that chip on our shoulder and balled. No one wanted to see us winning, 808 stand up! #HAWAIIvsEVERYBODY https://t.co/6GkjTsbdqE
— Cameron Friel (@CameronFriel5) November 1, 2020
Friel said there are a lot of athletes in Hawaii who are slept on by major colleges and universities for no other reason than a lack of access and exposure.
“Kids from Hawaii, we have to really work for what we want and just to be seen is kind of difficult because not all of us have the funding to go to these big camps,” Friel said. “Especially since it’s out-of-state, it gets hard when it comes to money.
“It’s more than just a hashtag, it’s a mindset that every kid on the Island here has. We’re all competitive and want what’s best for not only ourselves, but our family.”
It wasn’t until a year ago around this time that Friel’s recruitment began to heat up after former Hawaii receiver and current Navy assistant coach Billy Ray Stutzmann offered him a spot on the Midshipmen last October. Friel has since racked up six Division I offers to date from UNLV, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada and San Diego State, but a new coaching staff in Las Vegas sold the Kailua senior on the Runnin’ Rebels in May.
The 2020 season is Marcus Arroyo’s first as a head coach at any school. He was previously the offensive coordinator at Oregon from 2017 to 2019 and spent time on the staffs at Oklahoma State, Cal and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also new to the UNLV staff as its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach is Glenn Thomas, who was with the Atlanta Falcons from 2008-2014 and their quarterbacks coach from 2012-2014.
I’ll be signing early and heading to UNLV real soon! #GoRebels #808✈️702 pic.twitter.com/6juQOjYH41
— Cameron Friel (@CameronFriel5) October 16, 2020
Friel is a firm believer in Arroyo’s coaching pedigree and vision for a new era of UNLV football. Arroyo worked with Jared Goff, the No. 1 pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, during his time at Cal and his most recent quarterback, Justin Herbert, was just taken sixth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Thomas worked closely with Matt Ryan during his time with the Falcons, who was named the NFL’s MVP for the 2016 season.
“It’s not just those two (Arroyo, Thomas), their whole coaching staff came from the top levels of college ball and big schools all over the place,” Friel said. “It’s basically like a Power 5 school with all the coaches and their level of experience. I wanted to surround myself with that.”
Now playing at Allegiant Stadium, the pristine new home of the Las Vegas Raiders, Friel is confident he’s found the right place to flourish at the next level in UNLV. Breaking records, helping turn around a program that hasn’t won a bowl game since 2000 and fulfilling his dream to play in the NFL are all in the plans for Friel.
But he’ll never forget about the 808.
“I see myself coming in there, turning around the program and being able to not only make a name for myself, but put UNLV back on the map and put where I’m from back on the map,” Friel said.
