After being bypassed in their efforts to be Hawaii’s starting quarterback, fifth-year seniors Taylor Graham and Jeremy Higgins bit their mouthpieces and went back to work.
Ikaika Woolsey, a third-year sophomore, emerged No. 1 from a three-way quarterback competition.
Graham, who started three games last season, and Higgins, who was bracketed with Woolsey at No. 1 exiting spring training, were admittedly disappointed but not undeterred. Head coach Norm Chow said Graham and Higgins will compete for the No. 2 job through training camp.
"I’m very happy for Ikaika," said Graham, who transferred from Ohio State in January 2012. "I’m a competitor as well. I wish I was in there, but that’s life. … I understand. I have to come out and grind every day."
Higgins, a Saint Louis School graduate who transferred from Utah State in June 2011, said: "It’s tough, but it’s for the betterment of the team. I’m not here to boost myself up. If that’s what they think is best for the team, I have to support that. It’s a long season. Anything can happen. I’m going to be ready. My job is to be ready any way."
Graham is regarded as Chow’s first recruit after being hired as head coach in December 2011. Graham redshirted in 2012 in accordance with NCAA transfer rules, then won the starting job last year. In the third game, Graham suffered a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder on a scramble. He was reduced to cameo roles after that. He had surgery in December.
In the meantime, Sean Schroeder reclaimed the starting job for the rest of his senior season in 2013. The Warriors began implementing spread schemes last year, then made the move to an offense that benefits a mobile quarterback. Graham is the best fit as a drop-back quarterback. He has played well in camp, but Woolsey matches the need for a strong-armed quarterback who can run.
Graham said he understands his role and refuses to blame circumstances for his situation.
"How I respond will be very telling of my character in this tough situation for me personally," Graham said. "But I want to be a team player. I want to help this team win. It’s more important to me than anything else, whatever my role means to help this team win."
Higgins was successful in spring practice to force a tie atop the depth chart. But he suffered an injury to his left Achilles tendon on the final play of the spring game, limiting his participation in many of the offseason conditioning drills.
Higgins said the injury has healed.
"It’s not affecting my play," Higgins. said "It felt sore at the beginning of camp (last week). I can see why they say it’s affecting me. It hurt me huge in the offseason. I missed a bunch of stuff. But I’m glad to be back, and I’m ready to contribute."
