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Graunke No. 1
on depth chart

The second-year freshman will split
reps with Brennan at UH's fall camp

The apartment search in Honolulu's tight rental market isn't going well for Tyler Graunke and Colt Brennan. But their climb up the crowded Hawaii quarterback depth chart has been much smoother.

Tyler Graunke: Jones says he will split reps with JC transfer Colt Brennan

Graunke, a second-year freshman, enters fall camp Aug. 4 as UH's No. 1 quarterback, coach June Jones said on KKEA-1420's Sports Bar radio show yesterday.

Brennan, a third-year sophomore junior college transfer, could be called 1A -- he and Graunke are expected to get equal practice repetitions, and the tentative plan is both will play when the Warriors open their season Sept. 3 against USC at Aloha Stadium.

"We have two kids who are a combination of (former starters) Timmy (Chang) and Rolo (Nick Rolovich)," Jones said. "They'll both probably play. That's the direction we're headed."

Graunke and Brennan were deep in competition when contacted yesterday -- playing a video game at fellow quarterback Jack Rolovich's place. They are staying there until they can find an apartment of their own to share.

"They became good friends quickly," quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison said.

Freshman Inoke Funaki enters camp as No. 3, and Jeff Rhode as No. 5, Jones said.

Incoming walk-on freshman Anthony Gardner is No. 4. Sophomore Jack Rolovich and senior Kainoa Akina were not invited to camp, but are expected to rejoin the team once school starts.

Graunke is not very big at 6-feet and 185 pounds, but has throwing skills similar to the record-setting Chang, Morrison said.

"The thing he's impressing everyone with is his arm strength and how fast he gets the ball out. He had a year of observing Tim at meetings and his decision-making is getting quicker."

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FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM UH football coach June Jones, his mustache gone, spoke on a radio show yesterday.

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Brennan, 6-2, 200, began his college career as an invited walk-on at Colorado. He transferred to Saddleback Community College, where he passed for 2,532 yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions in nine regular-season games last season.

"Colt comes with a lot of credentials," Morrison said. "He's got the physicalness and he's taken 500 to 600 snaps. It's kind of like when Nick came here. There's something to be said for that kind of experience and he's learning the offense and improving daily."

Brennan turned down a scholarship offer from San Jose State to walk on at UH and get a chance to play in the run-and-shoot offense.

"It really makes me feel better about coming to Hawaii knowing I'll have a great opportunity to compete for the job," he said.

Brennan and Graunke both said they will continue to help each other get better.

"We get along very well," Brennan said.

Graunke is the only one of three quarterbacks from last year's true freshman class still with the program.

"I feel very privileged that I came to a school where I can redshirt and then have a chance to start. You never know what will happen in camp, but I will keep doing what I do and Colt will keep doing what he does," Graunke said. "I think we each have strengths and weaknesses. He wants it as bad as I do, but we'll keep helping each other. I think we can succeed."

Who's that?: Three weeks ago, Jones shaved off his mustache. He'd had it since 1973, when he first grew it while a quarterback at UH.

The new look has given him a respite from being one of the most recognized people in the state.

"If I wear a hat and sunglasses I walk free and clear," he said. "I'm sure that will change."