Sean Schroeder is expected to be named the Hawaii football team’s starting quarterback today.
An announcement is expected before this afternoon’s practice, the fourth of this training camp.
Schroeder has met head coach Norm Chow’s requirement of displaying a high IQ for the pro-set offense and command of the huddle. What’s more, he has been the most accurate and productive quarterback during scrimmage-like drills.
Schroeder was used seldomly in three years at Duke, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in May. The NCAA permits a graduate student to compete immediately after transferring between FBS schools in certain circumstances.
Schroeder then initiated contact with the UH coaches. Schroeder was told there would be no assurances of a starting job or football scholarship if he transferred to UH. But Schroeder has said he decided to make the move because he would receive an opportunity to compete for playing time.
Schroeder moved to Hawaii in early July, and was accepted into UH’s graduate school shortly after.
“He’s a very natural talent,” said Bob Johnson, a quarterback specialist who worked with Schroeder three times this summer. “He has three years of college under his belt. The quarterback position is a very fragile deal. You don’t know everything that will happen. But he’s bigger and stronger after three years at Duke, and he’s really studied the game. I’m excited for him.”
If Schroeder retains the job through training camp, he is expected to receive a scholarship. Jeremy Higgins and David Graves also were candidates to be starter.
Higgins showed little rust after redshirting last year following his transfer from Utah State. Higgins is a 2010 Saint Louis School graduate.
Chow has praised Graves’ work ethic and skills. But Graves, a fourth-year junior this season, was the heir to an offense that no longer exists at UH. The Warriors are switching from the four-wide passing attack that was used the previous 13 seasons. The pro-set offense involves a tight end and fullback, and requires the quarterback to take snaps from under center.
