Ex-Arizona OL Michael Eletise transferring to Hawaii

Former Arizona Wildcats offensive lineman Michael Eletise is transferring to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, he announced Saturday on Twitter.

It will be a homecoming for the Honolulu native.

“I’m very excited,” he told the Honolulu Star Advertiser. “(I have) some family stuff to take care of. And my grandparents are getting older. It’s easier for them to see me play if I’m in Hawaii. I talked to my parents, and they were OK with it.”

Eletise appeared in 23 games in two seasons at Arizona after redshirting his freshman year. He started in four games in 2018, including three at right guard after Bryson Cain suffered a season-ending injury.

Eletise was one of the most decorated recruits Arizona landed under ex-head coach Rich Rodriguez. A consensus four-star prospect, Eletise was rated as the No. 9 offensive tackle out of high school according to ESPN, and played in the 2015 Under Armour All-American Bowl.

The Wildcats open the 2019 season at Hawaii on Saturday, Aug. 24. Usually transfers have to sit out a season before they are eligible to play, but Eletise is considering applying for an exemption that would allow him to suit up in 2019 and, thus, play against his former team, per the Star Advertiser.

“More than anything I want to make my island proud,” Eletise wrote on Twitter. “Playing football at the University of Hawaii for me will be more than just a game, it’s about friends and family. I will always be thankful to the University of Arizona, Coach Rodriguez, Coach Sumlin and the current and past coaches, Arizona fans, and especially to my brothers in the game. I will always love Arizona and the UA.”