Warriors QB Shutter suspended

Hawaii football coach Norm Chow said quarterback Cayman Shutter has been suspended indefinitely and immediately from team activities in the aftermath of his recent arrest on suspicion of drunken driving.

Shutter will remain on scholarship and be allowed to attend classes. But he is prohibited from practicing, working out with teammates or attending team meetings while under suspension.

Chow has not determined the length of the suspension, saying it could run through "tomorrow, it could be next fall, it could be whenever."

This past Sunday, Chow had said Shutter would face a "significant suspension," an indication the punishment could last well past spring training, which ends on April 27.

Chow described Shutter as a "good young man who made a terrible, terrible decision the other night."

Chow added: "We’re all obviously very, very embarrassed with what happened. We’re not going to condone that type of activity."

Shutter was arrested at 3:15 a.m. Thursday. He was released after posting $500 bail.

UH’s code of conduct for student-athletes gives a coach the flexibility to impose a suspension for a player accused of a crime. Shutter’s suspension stems from breaking a team rule, not for violating school policy. Chow made his decision after consulting with UH administrators and the 12-player "leadership council."

"He’s a grown man," Chow said. "He understands there’s severe consequences that need to be paid. We’ve preached that. We’ve talked that. He understands."

After Tuesday’s practice, the first since the Warriors returned from spring break, Chow said the suspension "wasn’t easy to do." Chow said Shutter had served as a leader during offseason training.

"I was surprised when (the DUI arrest) happened," Chow said.

David Graves remained as the No. 1 quarterback during Tuesday’s practice.

Ikaika Woolsey, who enrolled at UH in January, took snaps as the No. 2 quarterback.

The other quarterbacks are Jeremy Higgins, who redshirted in 2011 after transferring from Utah State; Justin Alo, a grayshirt who enrolled in January, and Taylor Graham, who transferred from Ohio State this year. Graham is required to redshirt this coming season.

Chow said he will not recruit another quarterback.

"This isn’t the NFL," Chow said. "We don’t have a transaction wire. We play who we have."

Graves had uneven performances in the first three practices before spring break.

"I thought Graves looked good today," Chow said after Tuesday’s practice. "He took spring break to figure things out, and I thought he did a nice job."

Chow also praised Woolsey and Higgins.

"Woolsey is making progress," Chow said.

Woolsey attended City College of San Francisco during the 2011 fall semester. He was allowed to practice with the Rams without triggering his eligibility clock.

He was that team’s scout quarterback, simulating the upcoming opponent’s offense.

"I did my best to get the boys ready for every game," Woolsey said. "We did OK. We went 12-0 and won a national championship."

Chow said freshmen are expected to compete for playing time.

"I didn’t want to play like a (potential) redshirt," Woolsey said. "I wanted to battle for a position. At the end of the day, it’s what the coaches think is best for the team."