What was supposed to be a learning experience has turned into so much more for sophomore quarterback Jeremy Higgins.
A transfer from Utah State by way of local prep powerhouse Saint Louis School, Higgins came into the spring as No. 4 on the depth chart. He had little hope of being the starting quarterback for Hawaii, and didn’t seem to mind flying under the radar.
But all that changed at the end of the spring.
Projected starter David Graves is bracketed with Higgins entering fall camp. Norm Chow hopes one separates from the other; the coach would prefer an established starter. Most felt Graves, who started two games last year as a freshman, had the inside position. But just because Graves was comfortable in the run-and-shoot doesn’t mean he fits well into Chow’s West Coast offense.
Graves admittedly struggled to find his rhythm in all the major scrimmages, leaving the door open for a guy like Higgins to walk right through.
He showed his stuff in the first major scrimmage that was held on Maui. He completed nine passes for 135 yards and a touchdown. Graves countered with a 1-for-8 performance that had Chow conceding that Graves needed to do more over the remaining three spring practices to be named No. 1 on the depth chart.
Unfortunately for Graves, the Warrior Bowl belonged to Higgins as well, forcing Chow to have to make a decision in fall camp. He’s looking for more consistency in both guys, but there’s something about Higgins that has caught the fancy of the offensive coaches.
“He might have the chance to be the starter,” Chow said of Higgins. “He’s competing. He sometimes drives me nuts. He’ll make two good plays and then one dumb play. We have to get that straight.”
As for Higgins, well, he’s in no hurry to assume the throne. He’s making adjustments to UH’s new offense as well. The coaches are trying to adjust his long throwing wind-up that removes some of the zip in his throws.
Higgins is well aware Chow tutored three Heisman Trophy quarterbacks. He trusts his coach.
“I feel I can get a lot better at it,” Higgins said. “I kind of have it in the back of my mind. Sometimes I don’t step into it, and (Chow) gets on my case.”
That’s all because Higgins might have to step into the starting role this fall.