RENO, NEV. » In preparation for Hawaii’s football game Saturday, David Graves portrayed Nevada’s quarterback in Thursday’s drills against the Warriors’ starting defense.

It was a scenario that was not so improbable.

In December 2008, Graves made an oral commitment to attend Nevada.

“At the time, it was my only offer,” said Graves, who was a senior at Folsom (Calif.) High. “My coaches told me to commit. I was really serious because it was close to home. They had a good music program I was interested in.”

But then the Warriors called.

“As soon as I got the offer from Hawaii, I was out,” Graves said of his decision to rescind his commitment to Nevada.

Graves signed with UH in February 2009.

Folsom and Nevada’s Reno campus are 120 miles apart. Yet, Graves said, “I felt Hawaii was calling me. I loved Hawaii as a kid. I went there on vacation as a kid. What’s not to love about Hawaii? It’s beautiful.”

Graves then had to notify the Wolf Pack.

“I didn’t want to hurt their feelings,” Graves said. “That was a really hard phone call to make. But you have to do what you have to do.”

Even before Saturday’s game against Nevada, Graves admittedly has had what-if thoughts.

“I do,” Graves said, a realization that he could have competed to be the successor to quarterback Colin Kaepernick, now with the San Francisco 49ers.

After Thursday’s chilly practice at Reno High, Graves said, “I think I’d rather be throwing the ball in paradise than handing it off in this weather.”

Graves said the Warriors’ four-wide passing offense contributed to his decision. He is the primary backup to senior quarterback Bryant Moniz.

A stronger lure came during his UH recruiting visit.

“I fell in love with the people and the culture,” Graves said.