LAS VEGAS » Quarterback Ikaika Woolsey will take the first snap of training camp, but that will not ensure being named the University of Hawaii’s starting quarterback for the Aug. 30 opener against Washington.

"Don’t read anything more into it than that," UH head coach Norm Chow said during Wednesday’s Mountain West Conference’s football Media Days preview.

Woolsey, Jeremy Higgins, Taylor Graham and Beau Reilly are competing for the starting quarterback’s job. Former USC quarterback Max Wittek, who is joining as a walk-on, will have to redshirt this season in compliance with NCAA transfer rules. Freshman Eric Prater from Lake Havasu City, Ariz., joined this summer.

"We need to make a decision real quick," Chow said. "I think we will. It’ll take us three or four days, maybe a week (in training camp). I think the rest of the team deserves to know who the quarterback is because that’s the leader and that’s the guy who’s going to take us where we need to go."

Woolsey, a third-year sophomore who started two games last season, and Higgins, a fifth-year senior, were bracketed at No. 1 on the post-spring depth chart. But Higgins has endured an injury to his Achilles’ heel during offseason conditioning drills.

Graham, who started the first three games last year, has fully recovered from surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Reilly, who initially committed to Colorado State, signed with UH after returning from a two-year church mission.

Woolsey appears to be best suited for the Rainbow Warriors’ renovated offense, which will call for quarterback rollouts and wider formations.

When Chow was hired two years ago, he implemented a pro-set offense that utilized a tight end, fullback and imposing blockers.

"I’m not sure we made the right decision," Chow said, "but I thought, at the time, we could get those linemen, and we’d line up, and beat the heck out of (defensive fronts). Well, it didn’t happen that way. We’re changing. … We’re going to move it around like everybody else."

Chow said Woolsey provides a dual threat as a passer and runner.

"The days of the starting quarterback sitting back in the pocket are gone," Chow said. "Ikaika is not that guy who sits in the pocket. He’s 6-2. He’s 215. He can run. He lifts with the linemen. He’s very athletic. If he wins it, he gives us that option (of passing or running).

Chow said quarterbacks coach Jordan Wynn will have an expanded role in calling plays. In UH’s first three games in 2013, the Warriors averaged 282.0 in total yards and 207 in passing yards. After Wynn took over most of the play-calling, the Warriors averaged 456.2 total yards and 332.8 passing yards.

"He”s going to be a terrific coach," Chow said of Wynn. "You could tell by the way he played (as a Utah quarterback)."