http://starbulletin.com/2006/12/13/sports/story02.html
Colt could leave early
The Warriors' quarterback won't worry about the NFL until after the bowl game
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com
THE "extraordinary situation" that Colt Brennan talks about now looks like a real possibility, and the Hawaii junior quarterback might leave a year early for the NFL.
But Brennan said yesterday he wants it made clear that even if he is evaluated as a potential first-round draft pick, it doesn't guarantee he will turn pro after the Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl.
"I'm very happy here and there are plenty of good reasons to come back. Coming back would definitely be great for the program and for me," said Brennan, who was named a third-team Associated Press All-American yesterday. "But I would definitely have to consider it. That's a pretty big opportunity and there's no guarantee it would be there later. If they (the NFL advisory board) suggest it, I would have to take a step back and look at things."
Two veteran NFL scouts told the Star-Bulletin this week they believe Brennan could be a first-round pick if he went out for the draft. A third scout reserved judgment until he could view tape of Brennan.
Brennan said yesterday a first-round evaluation from the NFL would be the cutoff on considering making a move to the pros.
"The draft people haven't graded me yet, so we'll see how that plays out," Brennan said.
Whether two other junior quarterbacks, Brian Brohm of Louisville and Jemarcus Russell of Louisiana State, decide to turn pro could affect Brennan's market value.
UH coach June Jones said last week he has advised Brennan to keep his options open. He declined further comment yesterday.
"I'm not going to worry about it until after the bowl game," Jones said.
The AP first- and second-team quarterbacks, Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith of Ohio State and Brady Quinn of Notre Dame, are both seniors and expected to be first-round picks.
Brennan was sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting. His 53 touchdown passes are one away from the national single-season record, and Brennan also leads the nation in passing yards, completion percentage, passing efficiency and touchdowns responsible for. He is within 10 of passing 5,000 yards for the season.
Brennan, who is from Irvine, Calif., and listed as 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, is the first UH quarterback to make an AP All-America team. Jeff Duva was an honorable mention selection in 1978 (AP has since done away with honorable mentions on its All-America football team).
"It's definitely a big honor," Brennan said. "This year our team has been all about breaking barriers and this is another one. It's been a team goal from the beginning to achieve things like this. I definitely appreciate the recognition and where I'm at."
Defensive tackle Al Noga, in 1986, is the only first-team AP All-American in school history.
Brennan was named the Western Athletic Conference offensive player of the year last week. He was also named second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation.
Brennan was also a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and the Davey O'Brien Quarterback Award.
Hawaii (10-3) has one more game, Dec. 24 in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl against Arizona State (7-5).
After today's 4:30 p.m. practice, the team returns to its normal schedule, Jones said. The Warriors practice from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. at UH each day except Sunday (graduation day) prior to the Hawaii Bowl.
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NATIONAL ACCLAIM
Colt Brennan makes it eight University of Hawaii football players who have been selected for the Associated Press' first, second or third All-America teams
NAME POS. YEAR TEAM
Colt Brennan QB 2006 3rd
Chad Owens AP 2004 2nd
Vince Manuwai OL 2002 2nd
Ashley Lelie WR 2001 3rd
Jason Elam K 1991 3rd
Larry Khan-Smith RS 1988 2nd
Al Noga DL 1986 1st
Walter Murray WR 1985 3rd
