NASHVILLE – Quarterback Cole McDonald has spent a good part of his life idolizing Hawaii native Marcus Mariota.
Now, he's headed to Nashville to compete for a roster spot on Mariota's former team.
The Titans on Saturday selected the former University of Hawaii quarterback in the seventh round (224th overall) of the NFL Draft.
"Playing in Hawaii, I mean Marcus is the man. And when I say the man, he is the man," McDonald said of Mariota, who played five seasons with the Titans. "Even before I knew I was going to play for Hawaii or anything, I idolized Marcus, his style of play and how he approached the game and what he brought to it.
"Moving forward, hopefully I get some love from Hawaii and even though Marcus was there before me, (hopefully) I can fill those big shoes he left behind. To come to a place he just left, it's pretty cool."
McDonald said he's met Mariota, now with the Raiders, several times and watched film with him. Mariota has given him advice over the years, he said.
The 6-foot-3, 218-pound McDonald finished his career at Hawaii fourth on the school's passing yards (8,032) and passing touchdowns (70) lists. McDonald, who is from La Mirada, California, completed 61 percent of his throws at Hawaii.
In 2019, McDonald completed 63.8 percent of his attempts for 4,135 yards and 33 touchdowns.
He ranked No. 3 nationally in passing yards, No. 6 in total offense (322.7/gm), No. 7 in passing yards per game (295,4), No. 8 in passing TDs, and No. 9 in points responsible for (242). McDonald threw for a career high 493 yards and accounted for five touchdowns – four passing and one rushing - in UH's SoFi Hawai'i Bowl win over BYU.
But he knows he needs to improve to have a chance of sticking at the next level.
McDonald will compete with returning quarterback Logan Woodside for the back-up spot behind starter Ryan Tannehill.
Woodside started last year's preseason finale against the Bears and played the entire game. He finished the night completing 17-of-29 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns, good for a passer rating of 104.4.
In four preseason contests in 2019, Woodside completed 46-of-76 passes for 539 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating was an impressive 99.6.
"We're not going to set the roster to 55 today, on the third day of the draft," Titans General Manager Jon Robinson replied when asked if the team might add yet another QB to compete at some point. "But (McDonald) is a guy that has good size, really good athleticism. He ran fast, he moves around, has really good arm strength. We spent quite a bit of time with him in the process getting to know him a little bit and developed a good relationship with him. We felt like from a tools standpoint he was a guy we'd like to work with."
McDonald said he's ready to compete, and he wants to learn from Tannehill, the quarterback who replaced Mariota as the franchise's starter.
"I've only heard great things about Ryan, how great of a person he is, how great of a leader he is," McDonald said of Tannehill. "And ultimately, he wins games, like you saw last year. To be under him, it is going to be an awesome learning experience – I am going to be asking a lot of questions, picking his brain, taking a lot of mental reps behind him and ultimately just trying to get prepared as much as I can to be ready when my name is called.
"I am super-stoked to be a part of the team, to be a part of the organization. And I want to help in any way I can."
McDonald said he talked with Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and quarterbacks coach Pat O'Hara a few times on Facetime during the pre-draft process, and he felt the conversations were solid.
He's looking forward to heading to Nashville as soon as the NFL's offseason restrictions due to the coronavirus are lifted.
"I have never been to Nashville, Tennessee, but from what I have heard from everybody, I hear it's just a wonderful place, with great people, and the environment is amazing," McDonald said. "I can't tell you how excited I am to meet everybody and be a part of that culture."
The Titans select Hawaii QB Cole McDonald in seventh round (224th overall) of 2020 NFL Draft. (AP Photos)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald, front, eludes Colorado State defensive lineman Devin Phillips for a short gain during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Fort Collins, Colo. Hawaii won 43-34. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald, right, runs for a short gain as Colorado State linebacker Tre Thomas comes in for the tackle in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald, right, runs for a short gain as Colorado State safety Jamal Hicks comes in for the tackle during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Fort Collins, Colo. Hawaii won 43-34. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hawaii Warriors quarterback Cole McDonald (13) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Fort Collins, Colo. Hawaii won 43-34. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald is tackled by Fresno State linebacker James Bailey during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Fresno, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. Fresno State won 50-20. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
Hawaii Warriors quarterback Cole McDonald (13) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Fort Collins, Colo. Hawaii won 43-34. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hawaii Warriors quarterback Cole McDonald (13) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Fort Collins, Colo. Hawaii won 43-34. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
*Hawaii Warriors quarterback Cole McDonald (13) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hawaii Warriors quarterback Cole McDonald (13) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) gains yards over Duquesne during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald scrambles for yards against Fresno State linebacker Jeff Allison,right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Fresno, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. Fresno State won 50-20. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald looks for a receiver during the second quarter against Rice in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) runs against Nevada during the fourth quarter at an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Honolulu. Nevada defeated Hawaii 40-22. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald drops back to pass against Fresno State during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Fresno, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018. Fresno State won 50-20. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)
FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2018, file photo, Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) makes a pass against Nevada during the fourth quarter at an NCAA college football game, in Honolulu. The Warriors are seeking their seventh bowl victory in 12 appearances, including their eighth trip to the Hawaii Bowl. Hawaii takes on Louisiana Tech in Hawaii on Saturday.(AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald passes against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald in action against Washington during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) looks down field against Boise State in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 59-37. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald in action against Washington during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) looks over to the sideline for the signal for the next play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Arkansas, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) scrambles against Boise State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) drops back to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Arkansas, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) rolls out as Nevada's Jaden Lewis (57) runs him down the first half of an NCAA college football game in Reno, Nev. Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Tom R. Smedes)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) throws the ball against Boise State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 59-37. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) scrambles with the ball during in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 59-37. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) scrambles with the ball during in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 59-37. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) throws the ball against Boise State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 59-37. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) looks up to the video board in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 59-37. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) runs with the ball in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 59-37. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) looks downfield during in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 59-37. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) throws the ball against Boise State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 59-37. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) looks on during pregame warm ups before the start of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) looks for an open receiver to pass to during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Honolulu. Air Force beat Hawaii 56-26. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) looks down field against Boise State in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 59-37. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) sprints to the end zone for a touchdown followed by New Mexico safety Brandon Burton (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown followed during the first half of an NCAA college football game against New Mexico, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Hawaii running back Miles Reed (26) celebrates with quarterback Cole McDonald (13) after scoring a touchdown against New Mexico during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) is tackled by New Mexico linebacker Brandon Shook (46) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) and wide receiver Jason-Matthew Sharsh (3) get ready to play against New Mexico in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) throws against New Mexico during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) is congratulated by offensive lineman Solo Vaipulu after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against New Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13), wide receiver Jared Smart (23), and linebacker Paul Scott (15) react after Cole made a touchdown against Fresno State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald sprints to the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against New Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) runs for yardage during the first half of an NCAA college football game against New Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) hands the ball off to running back Miles Reed (26) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (13) runs around the Fresno State defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald looks to throw during the second half of an NCAA college football game against New Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald yells signals prior to the snap during the second half of an NCAA college football game against New Mexico on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Albuquerque, N.M. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald runs the 40-yard dash during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
