Following Tuesday’s situational football drills, here’s the Hawaii quarterback situation: Taylor Graham is No. 1, with Jeremy Higgins and Sean Schroeder bracketed as the top backups.

UH coach Norm Chow reaffirmed that Graham will exit spring training atop the depth chart. The Warriors practice this morning and then conclude spring training with Thursday’s intrasquad game at the Ching Athletic Complex.

Chow said Higgins has made the most of limited work this spring to merit consideration as Graham’s understudy.

"Jeremy is such a smart player," Chow said. "Going in, he’ll be No. 2, he and Sean. We have to give Sean some work."

Schroeder, who started 11 games in 2012, had back surgery on April 1 and is expected to be at full health in early July. UH’s training camp opens the first week of August.

Chow said Ikaika Woolsey remains in the mix. The position will be evaluated this summer.

Graham did well in Tuesday’s 11-on-11 drills that mixed time (two-minute offense) and distance (red-zone and mid-field schemes). Graham completed nine of 11 passes for 72 yards. Six of his completions resulted in first downs.

UH called plays that required Graham to go through his progressions and look for check-downs or crossing receivers. He did not attempt a pass longer than 12 yards.

Chow compares Graham to Carson Palmer. Chow was USC’s offensive coordinator when Palmer won the Heisman Trophy.

"Taylor is 6-5, 235," Chow said. "He studies. He’s a football junkie. He’s tall like Carson. He throws like Carson. And he needs reps like Carson."

Graham said: "Carson Palmer is actually one of my favorite quarterbacks. I remember watching him when he was at USC. I followed his career. I was in Ohio for a bit, and he played with the (Cincinnati) Bengals. It’s a compliment to be compared to him."

Chow said Graham needs to work on "cutting loose a little bit. He’s trying too hard to do the right things. He needs to just play football."

Graham, who redshirted in 2012 after transferring from Ohio State, has embraced the Warriors’ new wrinkles on offense. They often spread the formation with three-receiver sets. The running attack has further expanded the passing options.

"That’s the best part of the offense — drop back and chuck it," Graham said. "That’s the best throw. It’s a quarterback’s dream to be back there and throwing it."

Higgins is having his best camp since transferring from Utah State in July 2011. He was 4-for-6 for 38 yards, including a 22-yard scoring throw to Chris Gant, during Tuesday’s drills.

"I try to get it to the playmakers and let them make plays," Higgins said. "They make me look good by catching all of the throws."

Schroeder has attended all of the meetings and practices this spring while recovering from surgery.

"It’s frustrating at times, but it’s been beneficial," Schroeder said. "I can step back and get a different perspective. I can get away from the whole fog of war. I can see it from an outsider’s perspective. I’ve been growing, too, and feel I have a better understanding of the offense."

Schroeder was diagnosed with a fractured L5 bone of the lumbar vertebrae. A screw was inserted as part of the bone grafting.

"Right now, it’s a waiting game," Schroeder said. "With a broken bone, you have to let it heal. I’m not doing a whole lot (physically) right now. I just to let it rest and heal up and fuse up."