A former Kaiser High linebacker has transferred from Arizona State and will play for the University of Hawaii football team.
“I’m back,” said Parker Higgins, who began taking classes at UH this week.
Higgins was with the Sun Devils the past three seasons. Although he was on the travel squad this past season, he did not record any tackles as a third-year sophomore. Higgins said he was trying to find a role under Herm Edwards, who completed his first season as ASU’s head coach.
Higgins said he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal, a list that is circulated to member schools, then reached out to UH head coach Nick Rolovich. Rolovich was UH’s offensive coordinator when Higgins’ older brother, quarterback Jeremy Higgins, joined the Rainbow Warriors as a transfer from Utah State in 2011.
“I knew Coach Rolo from before, when I would come up and hang out with Jeremy on campus,” Higgins said. “I’d see Coach Rolo around.”
When considering his options, Higgins said, “I took Jeremy’s advice. Jeremy holds Coach Rolo in high regards. He’s one of Jeremy’s favorite coaches.”
Higgins said he is 5 feet 11 and 220 pounds. He is viewed as an inside linebacker, although he sometimes practiced on the outside this past season.
Higgins’ father, Jim Higgins, is a former UH player. Although his three older brothers attended Saint Louis School, Parker Higgins opted to attend his father’s alma mater, Kaiser High. At Kaiser, Higgins was a multi-skilled player used on offense and defense. Higgins was a sophomore on the Kaiser team that won the 2013 Division II state title.
“He’s a good player,” said Zeno Choi, a former UH and Kaiser player. “Very humble guy. Very hard worker. He has a motor. He’s energetic. He’s happy. He brings good vibes.”
Jeremy Higgins, who was on the coaching staff at Kaiser, described his brother as being a smart player “with a nose for the football,” adding UH “is getting a good one.”
Parker Higgins said he grew up as a UH football fan.
“I always wanted to be a Warrior,” Higgins said. “I grew up watching Colt Brennan and Isaac Sopoaga and Pisa (Tinoisamoa). All those guys.”
This past season, he followed UH games on television and his mobile device. “I always stayed up to watch Zeno play and the other Hawaii boys,” Higgins said.
Higgins will participate in UH’s offseason conditioning program and spring training. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
