honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:29 a.m., Monday, January 5, 2009

Warriors land QB, who cites offense, coaches, local music as draw

By Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.com Editor

Folsom (Calif.) High's David Graves, who had the nation's highest passing-efficiency rating, has accepted a football scholarship from the University of Hawai'i.

Graves, who completed 72 percent of his passes and threw for 40 touchdowns, said he chose UH because of the offense, the coaches and "Hawai'i's music. I love the music of the islands. I love the bending guitars and the real soothing voices."

Not only is Graves an accomplished football player — he was named the Sacramento Bee's Metro Football Player of the Year — he also is a member of Folsom's top-ranked jazz band.

Graves also rushed for 11 touchdowns and nearly 700 yards.

"He's a great quarterback, but some opponents said he was Folsom's best running back, too," said Troy Taylor, who serves as Graves' mentor. Taylor, who runs a year-round program for quarterbacks, was the quarterback coach at California.

Graves originally committed to Nevada. But after visiting the weekend before the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, he changed his mind. Last week, he notified the Nevada coaches that he was de-committing.

"I think Hawai'i is a better fit for me," Graves said.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.