Class: 2008 Big Board
Pros: Arguably in possession of the fastest release of any quarterback in this draft, Brennan has a cannon arm and makes quick decisions. He does a good job of reading opposing defenses and knows where to place the ball. Brennan stands tall in the pocket and does a good job of leading the huddle. His 58 touchdown passes as a junior broke the NCAA single season record, previously held by David Klingler (54). Although he's not a very agile quarterback, Brennan has enough mobility to move around in the pocket and avoid the rush, always looking to make a play. He is accurate and his a nice soft touch on his passes. Appears to be a leader, as well as one of the guys, both important intangibles for the leader of the huddle.
Cons: Will force throws under pressure in an attempt to make something happen, rather than just take the sack. Brennan weighs in at a light 200 pounds and could stand to pack on a few pounds to help adapt to the endurance of a sixteen game schedule. Needs to improve his footwork as a drop-back passer at the scouting combine, after spending most of his career in shotgun. The Hawaii quarterback tends drop down when making a throw and taking a couple of steps in the direction of his intended target. In addition, will he has stayed out of trouble of late, his off the field issues cannot be ignored.
Factoid: While at Hawaii, Brennan grew dreadlocks to better bond with his wide receivers, and learned enough Samoan so that he could use it to call plays from the line of scrimmage; Hawaii has a number of players of Samoan descent.
X-Factor: If Brennan is not already tired of hearing about being a system quarterback, he will be by the time the combine rolls around, and by the draft he will be numb to it. Timmy Chang broke numerous records when he was at Hawaii and barely sniffed the NFL and Ty Detmer won the Heisman at BYU and was just an OK backup at the next level, so why will Brennan be any better? He is more physically gifted than either Chang or Detmer, but it is hard to deny that the system has helped propel Brennan into the forefront. To be fair, Hawaii’s offense, whose architect is June Jones, formerly of the NFL, does have more throws the pros make then one might assume.
Overall: Has benefited greatly from the wide-open shotgun offense Hawaii head coach June Jones predicates the offense around. Brennan has shown superb decision making ability and accuracy leading the offense, but will have to test well at the combine to lock down a first round grade. In addition to the system label, Brennan did not exactly play against the toughest competition throughout his career either. He has been productive enough to garner day one attention, throwing for all those touchdowns should count for something.
Medical Examiner:
10/7/07—Ankle: Sprained right ankle, missed one start
Highlights of Accomplishments:
• NCAA single-season record for most touchdown passes, achieved in 2006 (58)
• NCAA two-season record for most touchdown passes, (93 -- achieved 2005-2006)
• NCAA record for passing efficiency (season), posting a 186.0 mark in 2006
• NCAA record for most passing yards (two seasons) with 9,850 (2005-2006)
• NCAA record for most points responsible for (season) with 384. (2006)
• 2006 WAC Offensive Player of the Year
Personal: Brennan pleaded guilty to "burglary and trespassing" for an incident that occurred on January 28, 2004. He had a few too many drinks and entered a female student's room uninvited. Brennan served seven days in jail and was put on four years of probation. When asked about the incident Brennan said, "I don't think I touched the girl, the only thing I know is that night I acted inappropriately and didn't leave when I should have." His scholarship offer to Colorado was pulled off the table and in 2004 he enrolled at Saddleback Community College in California. He got back on the football field, put his past behind him and excelled, leading Saddleback to a conference championship. His stellar performance gained him a walk-on invitation to attend Hawaii, Syracuse, and San Jose State. He chose Hawaii and has been on a positive roll, on and off the field, ever since.
High School: Brennan attended Mater Dei High School in California. He helped Mater Dei to the league championship in basketball as a senior. While at Mater Dei, Brennan was the back-up quarterback to Matt Leinart until Leinart graduated. After graduating from Mater Dei, Brennan attended Worcester Academy in Massachusetts for a postgraduate year, where his primary targets were David Ball, now a wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, and Carl Elliott, the starting point guard on George Washington's basketball team.
Murphy’s View: Brennan has a great release, is highly accurate and shows more than enough zip on his short-to-intermediate passes. He has learned and grown from his early mistakes and become a true team leader. Lacks the big-time frame of other passers in this year's group, but has the size to fill out to around 210 pounds. The drawbacks are his lack of experience under center and running a true pro-scheme. Is not called upon to throw a lot of deep or vertical routes.
Mogollon’s View: There are doubts about Brennan. Is he big enough to take a pounding in the NFL? Can he adjust to playing in a pro-style offense while taking a major leap in the level of competition? He’s not Timmy Chang and is worthy of a day one selection, as his productivity cannot be completely ignored. However, his ceiling is lower than most of the other quarterbacks in the top ten, which might make me look in a different direction for my quarterback of the future. Have to like his moxie and the way he carries himself.
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