HONOLULU — Colt Brennan couldn't lose at Hawaii.
As a walk-on three years ago, he had a shot at running the Warriors' pass-heavy offense. That, however, wasn't his main objective. He was determined to get his life back together.
"If football didn't work out, I was going to be all right. I was going to find my life in Hawaii and just focus on being happy," Brennan said. "When I got here, football just took off for me. It's been a great ride and a surreal feeling."
Today, Brennan is considered one of the nation's top college quarterbacks and a Heisman Trophy contender. He's also the main reason why No. 23 Hawaii is ranked for the first time entering the season, despite losing five players to the NFL draft.
It would have been six Warriors drafted, but Brennan withdrew at the last moment to return for his senior season, and to pay back a program and coach that gave him an opportunity to shine when no one else would.
Hawaii coach June Jones, a former NFL quarterback and head coach, hasn't been shy about praising his star. Jones calls Brennan the best quarterback he's ever coached, including Hall of Famers Jim Kelly and Warren Moon.
Jones goes further, saying Brennan is the best college football player this year, and last. In 2006, Brennan tied or broke 18 NCAA records in one of the most prolific seasons in college football history. Brennan finished sixth in the Heisman balloting.
Today, Brennan finds himself in a different position from when he joined Hawaii. This time, he cannot lose.
With huge expectations, he'll have to lead the Warriors to a perfect season to earn a shot at the BCS, Heisman and some credibility.
"Unless I win every football game, the credit is not going to be there. I learned that last year," said Brennan, who backed up Matt Leinart in high school.
His staggering statistics included completing 73 percent of his passes for 5,549 yards and 58 touchdowns. Yet, the only figure Brennan cares about is three — the number of losses.
To put last year's numbers in perspective, Brennan threw and ran for more yards and touchdowns than Ohio State's Troy Smith and Michigan's Chad Henne combined, and in fewer attempts.