Feature on switching David Graves from QB to safety

HSA Note: "Three days ago David Graves was a reserve quarterback watching on TV in Honolulu as his Hawaii teammates beat Army at West Point. An injury to starting safety Spencer Smith, a call from head coach Greg McMackin and a red-eye flight to Las Vegas later, and Graves is now a defensive back."


About what the coaches told him when he joined the team yesterday in Vegas, David Graves said:
"I met briefly with Coach (Rich) Miano and Coach (Chris) Tormey (who coach the UH secondary) this morning at breakfast. They said, 'We're gonna make an athlete out of you.' " (HSA)


About how Graves could do well as a safety, Richard Torres (who led Kahuku to a state title as a QB) said:
"For him, the switch should be natural. We know David's a tough guy from spring (practice), when he was running up and down the field against us. He's athletic and strong. Quarterbacks make good safeties because they know what the quarterback is thinking. The only thing he'll need to learn is the footwork." (HSA)


About switching from QB to safety, Graves said:
"I played defense from the time of 8 years old through junior year of high school. Safety, corner and linebacker in high school. I feel like physically my speed is there. I have to learn when to anticipate, knowing when to hit a spot to make a play. I know how I play with the safeties to get them to do what I want them to do." (HSA)


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