“Taking a year off is just a good chance to learn, and between watching Ross (Bowers) last year and from being around coach Tui,” McIlwain noted, “it’s just getting more reps. I got to get into the playbook a lot to just learn, now it’s just applying it on the field.”
For now, it comes down to a competition to earn those reps. McIlwain, who started three games during his true freshman season, has to unseat Bowers, as well as outdo both Chases (Forrest and Garbers) to make his way to the top spot.
”All the competition,” McIlwain added, “it just makes us better, we’re competitors.