Former Hawaii Quarterback Gets Playing Time For The Argos

Cole McDonald played four years for the university of Hawaii, starting his junior and senior years. Cole would complete 61.4% of his 1004 attempts for 8,055 yards with 70 touchdowns and 24 interceptions, while only playing in 33 games. 

The 24 game starter would get drafted with the 224th pick of the seventh round of the 2020 draft by the Tennessee Titans. NFL.com rated McDonald 5.40 which is a UDFA and projected him as a six to seventh round selection.

NFL.com has the following on McDonald's scouting report. "Next up from the pass-happy Hawaii offense with good size and impressive touchdown production over the last two seasons as a starter. While he can read defenses and throw with touch, he doesn't have the timing or ball placement to make up for his weak arm. He needs to work to a condensed field as a pro, but even then, jumpy cornerbacks could feast since he struggles to work with consistent anticipation to limit contested throws. He's a decent athlete, but it's not enough to offset his throwing deficiencies."

McDonald could not make the Titans roster and was waived at the end of camp in August 2020.

In February the Arizona Cardinals signed McDonald to a future's contract but what did they see in him that would make them sign a guy the Titans passed on. Maybe Kyle Crabbs of TDN can explain. 

Kyle Crabbs wrote in his draft profile,  "Cole McDonald projects as a developmental quarterback the the NFL level. McDonald has several desirable traits, including flashes of arm talent, athleticism and the size of a prototypical passer — but he is a point and shoot passer by design in Hawaii’s Run-N-Shoot offense. The mental side of the game is going to need to be reconstructed from the foundation and as such McDonald should be considered a low risk, high reward prospect late in the NFL Draft. Great tools but a long way out."

In late May, the Cardinals who were carrying four quarterbacks, cut McDonald to make roster space. And McDonald stayed a free agent until September 13, 2021 when the Toronto Argos took a chance on him. 

McDonald has been riding the pine in the CFL. Taking advantage of professional development while he can, while earning a paycheck and keeping his football dreams alive. 

On November 16th, the Toronto Argonauts hosted the Edmonton Elks. With the game basically over around the half way mark of the fourth quarter, the Argos called Cole's number. 

McDonald Came in and got sacked and would later throw an interception. That was the team's second interception. The Argos would eventually fall 13 - 7.

McDonald on the day would go 4 of 8 for 45 yards with an interception and a sack that set the team 8 yards back. It's not the Ideal game but hopefully the Argos will give McDonald another chance. The Argos season isn't done yet as the team clinched the Eastern Division and play the division finals on December 5th. McDonald may not be done in 2021. With any luck he will be a grey cup champion in a few weeks.

Good luck Cole.