Warrior Beat

QB Jeremy Higgins’ decision to transfer to UH is, essentially, a boost to the Warriors’ 2012 recruiting class. Early thoughts: Impact: Bryant Moniz and Shane Austin are entering their final seasons and, despite open auditions during spring training, none of the younger quarterbacks seized the successor’s job. Of the candidates, David Graves was the most consistent during the spring. Cayman Shutter also showed promise. Kevin Spain, while recovering from shoulder surgery, was on a throw count. Higgins, the state’s best […]

Quarterback Jeremy Higgins has received a scholarship release from Utah State and will transfer to Hawaii, his father Jim Higgins confirmed to the WB today. Higgins was named to the All-State second team as a Saint Louis School senior in 2009. He led the state in pass efficiency that year. As a true freshman at Utah State in 2010, he played in two games, completing four of six passes for 22 yards. Because UH is leaving the WAC after the […]

ESPN2 will televise the Sept. 3 season-opening football game between UH and Colorado at Aloha Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. See? UH doesn’t mind starting games in the afternoon. Just make ESPN ask. * * * * * During defensive meetings this coming year, Darryl McBride will not be the elephant in the room. McBride, who made several big plays during spring scrimmages, is moving from the elephant — the hybrid rush end/outside linebacker position — to weakside […]

The early buzz is that defensive tackle Kaniela Tuipulotu is considered to be the Warriors’ top NFL prospect for the 2012 draft. Tuipulotu has drawn praise for his skill, technique, leadership and on-field nastiness. * * * * * * Before Miah Ostrowski and after Ikaika Alama-Francis, the best basketball-playing football player on the Manoa campus was Davone Bess. Bess created the Bess All-Stars, which plays in basketball games to raise money for local charities. Bess said he is planning […]

With help from ESPN the past several years, the NFL has done a great job of always being present. In the gap between the final game of the season (Super Bowl or Pro Bowl) and the first preseason game, there are all-star games, the combine, pro days, Jon Gruden specials, Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, the draft, OTAs and Albert Haynesworth antics to keep football fans occupied. And now that the draft is over, the labor issue finally feels […]

Mom cried. Dad yelled. And former UH receiver Greg Salas yelled even louder after being the St. Louis Rams’ fourth-round selection in today’s NFL draft. “This is a dream come true,” Salas said during the family celebration. His father, Mark, was raised in Southern California and has cheered for the Rams most of his life. Greg Salas grew up rooting for the Raiders. “Now I’m a Rams’ fan,” he said. “I want to thank everyone in Hawaii — Kealoha (Pilares), […]

With the next-to-last pick of the third round, the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers picked former UH running back Alex Green. Green’s mother, Phyllis Smith, said they were ready to call it a night with a few picks remaining in the round. But then Green’s name “popped up on the (TV) screen. … We yelled so much I think we woke up the entire neighborhood.” Green was picking up his daughter, Harlym, at her mother’s house when he received […]

In their circles, there’s optimism that former UH receiver Greg Salas and running back Alex Green might be selected as early as tomorrow, when the NFL conducts the second and third rounds of the draft. More than 20 teams have remained in constant contact with Salas. And yesterday, the New England Patriots met with Green in his home in Portland. * * * * * Former UH safety Spencer Smith is exploring options beyond a playing career. By not signing […]