Two spots from Heisman Trophy finalist Colt Brennan on the depth chart, Funaki was able to experience the best college football season in the history of his home state.

"Here in Hawaii, we're the only show on the island," said Funaki, a sophomore who served a mission in the Dominican Republic after graduating from Kahuku High School in 2002. "This is where all the focus is."

While Dobbs and Funaki have witnessed considerable success in the Western Athletic Conference, two other returned missionaries have experienced arguably the highest level of college football — the Southeastern Conference.

Hatch, who served in Chile Conception South, had a sideline view of LSU's national championship season. The Henderson, Nev., native has been impressed with the commitment and dedication of the fans who pack Tiger Stadium — otherwise known as "Death Valley."

"Every home game has 92,000-plus people just going crazy and showing their support," Hatch said. "There's like an electric energy."

LSU earned a spot in the national-championship game after beating Tennessee for the SEC title on Dec. 1. Across the field, another returned missionary was playing his final conference game for the Volunteers.

J.T. Mapu, a highly recruited defensive lineman who like Funaki attended Kahuku High School, signed with the University of Tennessee in 2002 and played two seasons before serving a mission to Houston. He returned for two more years with the Volunteers, who play their home games in front of 102,000 orange-clad fans at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.

"I consider myself really blessed," Mapu says.

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For Mapu and Dobbs, the most difficult transition they faced is a familiar one for RM athletes — getting back into shape.

Mapu, a defensive lineman who now plays at 283 pounds, returned to Tennessee weighing 315. Dobbs, who signed with Southern Utah University out of Chaparral High School in Las Vegas, decided to attend Boise State upon his return, but his body wasn't ready for Division I football.

The junior linebacker, who came home from Argentina weighing 180 pounds but considers his ideal playing weight to be between 220 and 225 pounds, cited being "behind physically" as the most difficult transition he faced.

There are also adjustments beyond just the physical.

For Funaki, the challenge was a matter of perspective. After devoting two years to service, turning his attention to his own eduction and football career wasn't easy.

"The whole focus changes from other people to me," Funaki said. "I was so used to trying to focus on other people and how to help them."

Hatch's story involves an unlikely transfer from the Ivy League to the SEC.