In a metaphorical Hail Mary attempt, former NFL quarterback Kent Graham is seeking an exemption that would allow his son to play for the Hawaii football team this season.

Quarterback Taylor Graham transferred from Ohio State to UH in January and, in accordance with NCAA rules, is not eligible to play until 2013. Players transferring between FBS schools must redshirt. The exception is if a transferring player already has earned a bachelor’s degree and is pursuing an advanced degree in a field not offered at his previous school.

Kent Graham’s argument is that players should be allowed to transfer without redshirting if the move was prompted by a coaching change.

Taylor Graham is better suited for a pro-style offense. Ohio State used both pro-style and spread-option sets under former head coach Jim Tressel and interim head coach Luke Fickell. Urban Meyer, who was hired at Ohio State on Nov. 28, uses a spread-option offense exclusively.

Kent Graham said he was “encouraged” when NCAA president Mark Emmert expressed empathy for players who wanted to transfer because of a coaching change.

“We want to look at how we manage that circumstance,” Emmert said on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” show this past Sunday. “I think also coaches don’t ask the kids: ‘Do you mind if I take another job?’ When there is a change of head coach, we need to look at the rules and provide greater flexibility there.”

Kent Graham said he sent an email to Emmert.

UH head coach Norm Chow said he supports the Grahams’ situation but is “not ready to make a public comment at this time.”

Tressel resigned in May 2011 in the aftermath of the NCAA investigation into whether some Ohio State players received perks. Fickell was named interim coach for the 2011 season. Tressel is now a vice president at Akron.

Kent Graham said a head coach is a key factor in choosing a school. “The system he is going to be in, especially for a quarterback, is hugely critical for whether or not he will be successful.”

Kent Graham, who played 11 seasons in the NFL, signed with Notre Dame when he believed he could adjust to the option offense. He then transferred to Ohio State, whose offense was better suited to his skills. He redshirted in his first year at Ohio State in accordance with NCAA transfer rules. He said the situation is different for his son, who felt UH’s newly implemented pro-set offense was a better match.

Of his son’s situation, Kent Graham said, “Ohio State wins by getting back a scholarship. Coach Tressel wins because he gets a new job. The University of Hawaii loses because a player has to sit out. Taylor loses because he loses a year of eligibility. … Why shouldn’t it be a win for everybody if it can be? It’s reasonable to expect that. … I understand it’s a long shot, but it was encouraging to hear (Emmert) think that way.”