Hawaii backup Tyler Graunke will return for his senior season in 2008. Funaki will be a junior, but even though he was third in line this past season, the Warriors' prolific offense allowed him to appear in five games. Funaki was 10-of-15 for 136 yards and three touchdowns.

"I don't know how many third-string quarterbacks get to play as much as I have," he says.

Other returned missionaries to watch in 2008 are Oregon's Will Tukuafu (Jamaica) and UCLA's Ben Olson (Alberta, Canada).

Tukuafu, a defensive end from East High School in Salt Lake City, had 36 tackles (8.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries as a starter in 2007. He contributed a tackle-for-loss in Oregon's 56-21 win over South Florida in the Sun Bowl.

Olson, the promising quarterback who attended BYU before serving a mission, has battled injuries throughout his career but still has his senior season remaining.

Mapu's career at Tennessee ended when he started in the Volunteers' 21-17 victory over Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl.

Two other returned missionaries on Boise State's roster closed out their careers in the 41-38 loss to East Carolina in the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 23. Sherm Blaser (Riverside, Calif.), a tight end from Meridian, Idaho, and Sione Tavake (New York), a defensive tackle from East High School in Salt Lake City, were both seniors for the 10-3 Broncos.

Texas A&M middle linebacker Misi Tupe (Philippines), who prepped at Bonneville High School, was the Aggies' second-leading tackler in 2007 and closed out his senior season with eight stops in the Alamo Bowl against Penn State. His teammate, receiver Michael Corey (Dallas, Texas) of Delta High School, had no catches but contributed two tackles in that game. Arizona State starting defensive lineman Michael Marquardt (Argentina) played his final college game in the Holiday Bowl against Texas and was credited with six tackles and a fumble recovery.

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Dobbs says being a returned missionary means getting teased about his age and riding a bicycle, but that's about it.

"For the most part, it's really not an issue in any way," he says. "You're just another member of the team."

According to Hatch, being in the South means that people aren't as familiar with the LDS Church, but there is a lot of interest in his missionary experience.

"I just explain that we're out there giving a lot of service and teaching and talking to people who are interested in our church," he said.