Cam Stone entered the Hawaii football program as a preseason All-Mountain West Conference selection in 2023.

He exits it having fulfilled that potential in 2024.

Stone was named to the first team at cornerback in the Mountain West’s postseason awards announced Tuesday. He was the first UH player to make the first team on defense since linebacker Darius Muasau and defensive back Khoury Bethley did so in 2021.

He was the only Rainbow Warrior on either the first or second teams. Five others — punter Lucas Borrow, offensive tackle Ka‘ena Decambra, safety Peter Manuma, nickelback Elijah Palmer and defensive end Elijah Robinson — were named to the honorable mention list.

"It’s big, especially with this staff," Stone told local media. "Coach (defensive coordinator Dennis) Thurman and Coach (defensive analyst PJ) Minaya did a great job just preparing me. They really did what they were supposed to and they helped me, guided me and put me in position a lot of times. So I really appreciate them and I’m glad I got this, for them."

Stone, of Angleton, Texas, came to UH after playing three years at Wyoming. After he posted 38 tackles, eight pass breakups, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 2024, he was named the team’s Most Valuable Player at the Alec Waterhouse Memorial Awards Banquet on Sunday.

He said he felt his eyes and his tackling were his biggest areas of improvement this season.

"I feel like I grew up with these guys for years, and I’ve only been here two years," he said. "I feel like I’ve been here seven years with this group of guys and I love them to death."

Stone was a MWC honorable mention the last two years, at Wyoming in 2022 and Hawaii in 2023. This year he had the third-highest defensive grade in the country among cornerbacks, 90.2, and in coverage grade, 90.3, according to Pro Football Focus.

His blocked point-after attempt in the second quarter against Fresno State was a huge swing play in the Rainbow Warriors’ 21-20 comeback victory over the Bulldogs on Nov. 2.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.