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Quarterback was not the most stable position for the Warriors in 2013, starting junior Taylor Graham and freshman Ikaika Woolsey before senior Sean Schroeder won the job for the rest of the year after nearly leading Hawaii to a miracle comeback against Fresno State last season.
Now with Schroeder gone, the starting job was up for grabs once again with Graham, Woolsey, and Senior Jeremy Higgins were back for 2014, and Norm Chow was expected to name the starter Monday after practice -- but he didn't. Instead, he named Woolsey the starter after practice on Tuesday.
Got to keep everyone guessing!
A two-star quarterback from Rodeo, California, Woolsey started his college football journey at City College of San Francisco in Fall of 2011. He would be a member of the scout team as the Rams would capture the Junior College Championship that year. After committing to Hawaii that spring, he would redshirt all of 2012.
Woolsey didn't see much of the field in 2013, carrying duties as the place kicking holder and the fourth string quarterback on the depth chart. He made his first appearance under center in a blowout vs. Nevada, going 2 for 5 for 41 yards and two interceptions, not exactly the ideal debut for the Warriors.
He would start the next two games for Hawaii against Fresno State and San Jose State, going a combined 8 for 22 for 100 yards and an interception. Each game he would be pulled in favor of the senior Schroeder, and wouldn't start the rest of the year.
Woolsey is definitely the most athletic quarterback on the roster, with signature speed and mobility that makes him a dual-threat for the Warriors offense. However, his biggest problem came from his accuracy and decision-making, but this spring shows he's made some strides in both departments. In Hawaii's annual Warrior Bowl, Woolsey went 14 of 24 for 164 yards, and while he didn't have any passing touchdowns, he rushed for two including this 60-yard quarterback keeper.
He's been working with quarterbacks coach Jordan Wynn this year and so far it seems to paying off. If Woolsey can continue to develop into a better passer and learn from his mistakes as that he made as a Freshman, he could be Norm Chow's most successful quarterback at Hawaii so far.