Former Ohio State University backup quarterback, Taylor Graham, transferred from OSU to Hawaii in search of a more fulfilling position. At 6’5″ and 235 pounds, Hawaii Warrior Taylor Graham is now coached by legendary QB and offensive genius Norm Chow.
Graham’s football career has been hobbled by setbacks. In high school, the promising QB endured injuries that limited his field presence and slowed his progress. An ankle injury reduced his starts as a junior, and a knee injury ended his senior season prematurely.
Despite his injuries, OSU heavily recruited Graham as a drop-back passer. (Get on the field with OSU as they perform the Fall Out Push-Up.) Graham’s collegiate football career was a forgone conclusion; like his father, Graham would play in OSU’s Horseshoe. His father, former NFL QB Kent Graham, originally played ball at Notre Dame before transferring to OSU and away from Lou Holtz’s run-option offense.
Graham was the Buckeyes’ backup QB for two seasons; but when Urban Meyer’s spread option offense emerged, the big guy knew his playing potential would probably flame out. It was then that Chow, as the new head coach at Hawaii, approached Graham—some 4,600 miles and a day’s journey away. Chow had also recruited Taylor Graham when Chow was at Utah in 2011.

Chow runs a pro-set that uses the drop-back style quarterback. Graham joined the Warriors in time to play last spring, impressing many with his passing accuracy and velocity. But because of transfer rules, he wasn’t able to play this past season (source – Yahoo! Sports). When the 2013 season rolls around, though, Graham should be the leading contender for the starting quarterback spot—especially considering poor 2012 performances from the other QBs.
Taylor Graham has been patient, but he hasn’t been lazy. With excellent play during practice at the Manoa campus, he was named offensive player of the year for the scout team (source – KHNL).
Next season, Graham will have additional coaching. Chow hired his former Utah starting quarterback, Jordan Wynn, to coach the Hawaii QBs in 2013 (source – CBS Sports). This past season, along with serving as head coach, Chow was the team’s QB coach as well. After wrapping up a 3-9 season, the Warriors have plenty of room to improve next season.
Most Division I football players join programs as elite talents; unfortunately, they are not guaranteed playing time. However, patience and a willingness to make a move can get you a position in a great program, where playing time is a reality. (If you have a goal, achieve it: Goal-Setting Tips.)
Source – University of Hawaii