HAWAII FOOTBALL
Brennan heeds advice from Jones
The UH quarterback has until tomorrow to change his mind
Colt Brennan has followed June Jones' advice.
The Hawaii football coach told his quarterback to take all the time he needs to decide whether he will join the pro ranks this year or return to UH for his senior season.
Time, however, was running out last night. Yesterday, Brennan rescheduled for a second time a news conference to announce his plans. As of last night, Brennan was to tell reporters his intentions at 3 p.m. today. But he has until tomorrow to let the NFL know if he wants his name taken out of consideration for the 2007 draft, and the announcement could be rescheduled yet again.
If Brennan does nothing by tomorrow, he is in the draft.
He has said in recent weeks he is "50-50" on going pro. He has consistently said he wants to do what is best for UH and himself. But it might not be one and the same, and that could be why he hadn't pulled the trigger by yesterday.
"Because this is such an important decision that will have a big impact on what happens in my life, I want to take the maximum amount of time that is allowed to make my decision," Brennan said in a statement released by UH yesterday afternoon. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience this may be causing. I don't mean to keep people waiting in anticipation, but I just want to make the best and most informed decision possible."
Brennan, who was sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting last fall, broke national records for touchdown passes and passing efficiency and led the country in most passing categories as Hawaii went 11-3. He was selected third team All-American by the Associated Press.
While some observers continue to perceive him as a "system quarterback" who piles up numbers because Hawaii passes, more are viewing him as a first- or second-round choice if he remains in the draft.
Some speculated that Brian Brohm's announcement to remain at Louisville for his senior year would be a big factor in Brennan deciding to going pro. It removed one of the three quarterbacks generally considered ahead of Brennan (LSU's JaMarcus Russell and Notre Dame's Brady Quinn being the other two) at this point.
Returning to school would be a gamble.
If Brennan's stock climbs and he remains healthy, he could put himself in position next year to be chosen higher in the draft than he would be this year -- and more likely to get a multi-million dollar signing bonus.
It could also cost him draft position and money if other quarterbacks (including Brohm) are judged to be better pro prospects after the 2007 college season and the following all-star games and combine.
Russell wins Manning Award:
Russell emerged from a field of finalists including Brennan and Brohm as the winner of The Manning Award announced yesterday. A panel of national media and Archie Manning and sons Peyton and Eli choose the winner of the annual quarterback award.
The other finalists were: Erik Ainge (Tennessee), John David Booty (USC), Chad Henne (Michigan), Chris Leak (Florida), Nate Longshore (California), Brady Quinn (Notre Dame), Troy Smith (Ohio State) and Patrick White (West Virginia).
