UH quarterback out for spring

Quarterback Sean Schroeder has a back injury and will not participate in the Hawaii football team’s spring training.

Tuesday is the first of 15 spring practices stretched over five weeks (with a one-week hiatus for spring break.

Schroeder said he will undergo the procedure in April or May. He said he should be fully recovered in early July "at the latest." The Warriors’ training camp opens the first week of August.

Taylor Graham, who redshirted in 2012 after transferring from Ohio State, is expected to take the first snap in spring practice.

Jeremy Higgins, Ikaika Woolsey and Justin Alo are the other UH quarterbacks. Cayman Shutter, who is scheduled to graduate in May, has applied for the Canadian Football League draft and will not return to UH for a fifth year.

Schroeder is a Duke graduate who transferred to UH in June 2012. He started 11 of the Warriors’ 12 games last year. Schroeder was hit more than 120 times — many after releasing a pass — and suffered two concussion-like symptoms and a sore back.

"We don’t know exactly what happened," Schroeder said of the source of the back injury. "We know it’s there, and it’s not going to heal on its own."

Schroeder said intensive treatment and physical therapy did not resolve the problem.

"We did a lot of scans and stuff," Schroeder said. "The best course of action is to do a little procedure."

Schroeder participated in player-run workouts the past several weeks. After consulting with trainers and medical staff, Schroeder said, "they felt this was the best time (to have surgery) for me."

Schroeder said he expects to be "off my feet" for the first month following the procedure.

"Then I can start the real rehabbing," Schroeder said.

Schroeder had hoped for a fresh start following the 3-9 season. He even grew out a mustache, which he has since shaved.

"I got a couple of weird looks at the grocery store," he said, smiling. "It was time to cut it."