Transition Hawaii

Around The Islands: Sports

College Football

Colt Brennan: From Colt to Steed

by Mike Yoshiura

James Colton Brennan walked on to the University of Hawaii football team in the spring of 2005, with hopes of rejuvenating his collegiate career. Like a fountain of youth, the island in the middle of the Pacific has helped the 24-year-old revive college football in Hawaii, while solidifying himself as one of the most prolific passers in NCAA Division I-A history.

Brennan is coming off of one of the greatest seasons ever for a college quarterback. The California native set the record for most touchdowns passes (TD's) in a single season with 58, and in the process he shattered 18 other Division I-A records. After finishing sixth in the 2006 Heisman Trophy race, Brennan announced that he would be returning for his senior year, forgoing the 2007 NFL Draft.

Last season LSU quarterback, JaMarcus Russell, completed 26 touchdown passes, 32 TD's short of Brennan's record-setting 58. In the 2007 NFL Draft, Russell was the first overall pick by the Oakland Raiders.

Matt Leinart, Brennan's high school teammate and predecessor, won the Heisman Trophy in 2004, but decided to comeback for his senior year. The University of Southern California quarterback was drafted in the first round and is now starting for the Arizona Cardinals. In 2004, he threw for 33 touchdowns and passed for 3,322 yards in the Trojan's quest for a national championship.

As far as the numbers are concerned, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound quarterback is in a class all by himself. Like Lienart, Brennan traded the million dollar-signing bonus for his cap and gown, in hopes that an extra year to mature will increase his stock in the 2008 NFL Draft.

Transition! Magazine recently took a timeout with Colt Brennan to find out more about the man behind the myth…

Q. What factored into the decision to return for your senior year?

A. "Opportunity, family, and the chance to do something really special. Going to the NFL and being involved in that process was all happening really fast. I was comfortable here, and [I] didn't want to leave so I decided to stay one more year and really do it right."

Q. Your high school teammate and friend Matt Leinart came back for his senior season after capturing the Heisman Trophy. Has his decision influenced your decision to return? Did he give you any advice when you were making your decision?

A. "We keep in touch pretty good. He said some good things. If you look at Matt Leinert, Peyton Manning, Joey Harrington and all the guys who came back for their senior year who had high draft possibilities, the success rate is very high. That gave me the confidence to comeback."

Q. What are your goals (both personal and team) for the 2007 season?

A. "We want to win as many games as we can. The awards and records don't matter, as long as we win games."

Q. What kind of role has June Jones played in your maturation process as a quarterback? What did he tell you when you were recruited in 2004?

A. "He asked me to walk on, and didn't offer me a scholarship. He said I would have a chance to be one of the top draft picks when it was all said and done. He's a great teacher and a genius when it comes to this offense and football in general. He has helped me out a lot through the past three years."

Q. What does playing in the NFL mean to you as far as fulfilling personal goals and dreams?

A. "It's a lifelong dream. As a kid everyone tells you not to count on it and not to get your hopes up, but you can't listen to them. You can't listen to people that tell you how hard it is, how good you need to be, or how unreachable it is. So playing in the NFL will make everything right."

Q. What kind of personal satisfaction do you get knowing you've found a home (success) here in Hawaii?

A."I've been here for almost three years now, and I feel like I'm part of something special here in Hawaii. I had a career here and [I] will hopefully leave my mark here. Hopefully someday I will be able to look back and be proud of what I've accomplished."

Q. How would you describe yourself three years ago, before you came to Hawaii? How is that person different from the Colt Brennan we see on the football field today?

A. "I was much more carefree, you know. Nothing could stop me. I just walked through life not caring about consequences, and not caring about where wrong choices will lead me. But now I take life very seriously. I know how to have fun and enjoy myself, but I know how to do it now in a way that doesn't harm me."

Q. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason? Why, or why not?

A. "Not necessarily. I think there are certain things that happen in your life that push you in certain directions, but ultimately, you have a strong say in what you do with your life. You make your life better or worse. I think there is definitely fate involved, sometimes, but I think it's all about what you do with it [your life]. So I guess it's kind of both."

Q. Do you have any words of advice for Hawaii's teens?

A. "Just know that the borders of these islands don't stop at the ocean. There's a whole different way to live your life on the mainland. That's what I enjoy about being in Hawaii. It was like this breath of fresh air and a different lifestyle. I came from a fast-paced life on the mainland so I enjoy the lifestyle here. But I think a lot of kids have a tendency to get trapped out here because it's relaxing and so enjoyable. But for me, it makes it [more] enjoyable because I came from a different fast-paced lifestyle. So I would really urge kids to go out and try something new. Get out to the mainland to experience it because you can always come back to your home here in Hawaii."

Q. During a press conference in January (2007) you mentioned that you liked the person you were becoming here in Hawaii. Describe Colt Brennan as a person. How has coming to Hawaii made you a better person?

A. "It slowed things down for me, and gave me the courage to live my life the way I want to live it. It allowed me to choose how I want to live, and not be persuaded by those around me."

Q. Was there a particular experience in Hawaii that has made you feel right at home? Beach, food, friends, etc…

A. "During the summer I like to go out to the North Shore. That's my favorite part of the island. That's where things make a lot of sense to me, and where I can go to relax and unwind."

Q. What is a regular day like for Colt Brennan? Between the practices, the conditioning, and the team outings/activities, what do you dedicate your free time to?

A. "I go to the beach a lot. I love to go fishing. It's one of my favorite things to do. I just hang out with my friends and enjoy life."

Q. If you weren't playing football, what career would you pursue and why?

A. "I would probably be playing basketball or some sport somewhere. I love sports and [I] love to play sports. I'm sure I would be doing something involved in sports, I'm just not sure exactly what."

Q. Who introduced you to football? Tell us about the people that influenced you throughout your career?

A. "My family was very football oriented when I was growing up. I had a lot of cousins and uncles playing football. I watched them play at Division I colleges. One of the biggest influences was my dad because he always took me to the games, but my cousin Bread Brennan made a big impact [on my life]. He walked on at Arizona [University of Arizona] as a receiver, and he had one of the greatest careers I've seen. Not from an awards standpoint or national popularity standpoint, but just what he went through and what he accomplished. It was one of the greatest things to me."

Q. Do you have any pre-game rituals?

A. "Yes, some small things. I always eat the same things, but mostly I try to stay occupied as much as possible before a game. I don't like to think about the game too much because it causes too much anxiety. I try to listen to music or play video games because it keeps my mind off it and helps me relax."

Playing football for Head Coach June Jones has helped Brennan regain the stride he needs to take his game to the NFL. It remains to be seen whether or not he will win the 2008 Heisman Trophy, or whether he can lead the Warriors to a Western Athletic Conference Championship. Football stuff aside, Colt Brennan has grown up, here in Hawaii.

According to the NFL Players Association, the average length of an NFL career is three and a half seasons, which means there is a lot of life to be lived once an NFL player retires. In the game of life, this Colt has been groomed for success.