Woolsey’s progress at QB ‘unbelievable’

It wasn’t too long ago that Jordan Wynn viewed the chaos after the snap through a face mask.

Now that he’s farther from the fray, Wynn’s task is to enhance the Hawaii quarterbacks’ sense of perspective.

"I learn something every day. Every day I see something I didn’t necessarily see as a player but I see now as a coach, and I try to pass that along to these quarterbacks," Wynn said.

"That’s the bottom line of being a coach, getting your guys to see what you see."

After injuries ended his playing career at Utah in 2012, Wynn joined the UH program as a graduate assistant last year and was promoted to quarterbacks coach in the offseason.

The on-field progress Wynn and the UH coaches saw in Ikaika Woolsey over the spring and into fall camp convinced them to give the sophomore the keys to the Rainbow Warriors’ spread offense.

"It’s unbelievable the growth he’s had since I first got here," Wynn said, "just in terms of seeing defenses and knowing what he’s got to do, what everyone else is doing and getting through his reads. He’s growing up and that’s what needed to happen."

Woolsey struggled in his one start last season but made strides over the spring and can present a threat as a runner as well, evidenced by a 60-yard touchdown in the Warrior Bowl scrimmage that capped spring ball. Woolsey was first in the rotation to open camp and was officially announced as the starter on Aug. 12.

"He’s got the arm, he can move around, he’s got a good skill set," Wynn said.

The two seniors competing for the backup role also have Division I starts behind them.

Taylor Graham entered last season as the starter and appeared to be finding his footing after two shaky starts before a shoulder injury suffered against Nevada derailed his season. Offseason surgery limited his work in the spring, but he returned healthy for camp.

Jeremy Higgins had one start in his six appearances in 2012 and saw action in one game last year following Graham’s injury. He moved the offense efficiently enough to exit spring ball bracketed with Woolsey at the top of the depth chart.

Freshmen Beau Reilly and Eric Prater returned to football this summer after extended absences and could be future contenders. Reilly completed a two-year church mission after graduating from high school, while Prater served as an Army Ranger.