Colt Brennan (Wrongly) Thinks He Lost Millions by Returning for Senior Season

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The Washington Redskins took Colt Brennan with the 186th pick in last weekend's draft. He was the tenth quarterback selected, and although Brennan seemed like a potential franchise player last fall, he'll struggle to make the 53-man roster behind Jason Campbell and Todd Collins. So what happened? According to the Honolulu Advertiser, it was all about timing:

The former University of Hawai'i quarterback's decision to return for his senior season will cost him about $1,378,500 over a three-year period.

Brennan, who was projected to be a first- or second-round pick after the 2006 season, saw his value drop after a poor outing in the Sugar Bowl, an illness that caused his weight to drop to 185 at the Senior Bowl, and a recent hip surgery

Brennan confirms as much, and his college coach, June Jones, suggested that by returning for his senior season, Brennan was turning down $25 million.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure if Colt Brennan had declared for the NFL draft after his junior season, he still would've been taken sometime after the third round. Players usually don't plummet on draft day because of one bad game, or an illness that might cause them to temporarily lose weight.

Draft-board free falls have everything to do with NFL scouts and coaches getting a opportunity to scrutinize game film. After watching tape of Brennan's junior season, I'm guessing teams would've had many of the same concerns in 2007 that they had in 2008: questionable arm strength and the ubiquitous character issues.

And as NFL Network's Mike Mayock pointed out during the draft coverage, "getting hurt didn't hurt [Brennan's draft stock]." So the only thing Brennan lost by returning to school was a chance to be an NFL backup one year earlier.

If it's any consolation, Colt, it didn't cost you millions to stay in school.

All links stolen from the Sports Bog

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-29-2008 @ 9:29PM

nickstoli said...

$25 million?

He was the third guy after Russell and Quinn? I don't think so. Neither do I think the third QB drafted last year got 25 mil.

Some team probably would've wasted a couple mil on him, though.

4-29-2008 @ 9:57PM

Sammy said...

Slow down everyone! First of all, the article Mr. Wilson is referring to was written by Stephen Tsai from the Honolulu Advertiser and was purely speculation! Colt does not share this feeling, nor has he ever. He cherished his senior year for the experience he gained both on and off the field. There are plenty of quotes from Colt saying football has NEVER been about money, but has been his life's passion. Next time Ryan Wilson writes an article he should reference his sources properly. Colt will prove you all wrong...I guarantee it. He did it in Hawaii and he'll do it in D.C.

4-29-2008 @ 10:04PM

Betsy said...

Lets not forget that it was the NFL who gave Colt the grade of a second round draft pick- not Colt.

4-29-2008 @ 10:51PM

Tom said...

haters

4-30-2008 @ 12:57AM

R Smoke said...

"Well, if you listen to Brennan, it was all about timing (via the Honolulu Advertiser)." First of all, it wasn't Brennan who said that. It was Stephen Tsai, the Hawaii Warriors beat writer. Mr. Tsai wrote that because he wanted to impress upon the Hawaii fans what Brennan had potentially sacrificed by returning for his senior year. Brennan has never come out and spoken of his finances or his future potential earnings. Time and time again, Brennan has said he was glad he came back for his senior and experienced what he did last year.

4-30-2008 @ 1:25AM

jeremy said...

What kind of hack wrote this article? Ryan Wilson would be well served to come up with his own opinions in the future instead of vomiting things he heard somewhere.

Arm strength is a minor issue that will be dealt with as he bulks up. Colt is a good kid. The media hates a good kid with a bad past. All they are going to do is hate hate hate until he snaps under the criticism. Then all the reporters and bloggers will be smug with their "I told you so" induced high. Though i know he will trudge on through all the crap and come out a strong player.

he has a way to go. i look to see him in 2 seasons.

And fix your damned title on this article. It suggests that he said this himself when thats not the truth.

4-30-2008 @ 2:01AM

George B Vieto said...

Colt's terrible Sugar Bowl performance didn't help his stock for the NFL draft. Had he left after his junior season he may have been picked by a bad team and be a backup.

4-30-2008 @ 3:01AM

Shelbz said...

Colt is a good kid? Tell that girl from Colorado that!

Colt Brennan is a douche who got what he deserved, he was exposed by the Georgia defense and cried like the bitch he is in the 3rd quarter.

Teams remember things like that, instead of going back and finishing the game LIKE A PROFESSIONAL he sat on the sidelines and weeped as the crowd reminded him that he was OVERRATED.

Truth is the guy should be sitting in a cell next to Vick for the things he did but due to lack of evidence he walked.

He was in a system at Hawaii (and a WAC conference) that provided no threat to actually stop him but as soon as he saw how a real team plays he was broken and exposed.

The fact that he was even drafted is astonishing and many teams are in fact glad that he stayed for his senior year before they spent money on the next Ryan Leaf.

4-30-2008 @ 3:26AM

TrueFootballFan said...

Yo Shelbz, Colt cried because he felt he was letting the whole state of Hawaii down, nothing you would know of, his loyalty and returning for his senior season has gained him the respect of a whole state. Even if he is a back up, the whole state of Hawaii will always support him. Tell me you wouldn't want to trade places with Colt instead of sitting in your trailer home wishing you were a professional football player. At least he is recognized, are you? He will be more famous than you'll ever be. Stop Hating!!!!!

4-30-2008 @ 3:56AM

Colt cried because he is a bitch and new he was as worthless as a 2002 Iraqi Dinar, as far as my "trailer home" I find it funny that you who now nothing of me seem to have hit the nail on the head, in fact I am crying as we speak because I want to be Colt Brennan and crying is something we both will have in common.

Fortunately I am not Colt Brennan, I have never had to break into a woman's dorm and jerk off as a means of "gettin some" nor did I have to shame myself, my school, nor my family by having to transfer to another school for getting caught doing so.

Lucky for me I have a great job and never have accomplished the feats of weeping like a newborn nor watching 185 other people picked before me for a game of football.

Truth is I am actually glad I am not Colt Brennan, in 3 years I won't be looking for another job while he will be dropping off resumés and his local Blockbuster and I'm sorry Colt but "led the NCAA in touchdowns while playing in a very weak conference" just isn't going to be enough to get you Saturdays off.

As far as being recognized, I couldn't care less if you or any other jackass outside of my immediate family, friends, or colleagues knows who the hell I am, not everyone is so desperate for attention that they have to sit in their recliner and say "Damn I sure wish I was as famous as ____" to make their lives complete, but since you feel the need to be as recognized as him then I pity you.

4-30-2008 @ 4:44AM

Don't get all huffy, I don't feel the need to be recognized. You were the one who posted a response about Colt Brennan for the whole internet world to see. Maybe he will or will not have a successful career in the NFL, but at least he graduated with a degree from UH. So, I doubt he will be dropping off an application at Blockbuster. As for me, I enjoy sports for what it is. Entertainment. I am just a fan of the game. Whether it's football, baseball, basketball, etc. , it's all good, BTW Ryan Leaf isn't all that bad, he's good for some laughs.

4-30-2008 @ 5:01AM

I posted about someone who is recognized in the public eye, take the bad with the....well bad (in Colt's case)

What no one ever understood was Ryan Leaf was a comedian for 4 years, he just wore shoulder pads as part of his Carrot-Top like gag.

4-30-2008 @ 6:57AM

Law said...

The NFL also gave Hawaii WR Davone Bess a second round grade and then he went undrafted.

4-30-2008 @ 7:37AM

aaorn W said...

Hey Colt, IF you're good enough you can make your millions anyhow. Don't worry, you're not good enough. Now off to the Arena League for you!

4-30-2008 @ 11:28AM

takashaka said...

You can speculate on Colt as much as you want -- it is what you writers do -- but please change the title for the simple fact that it's not true.

Like Sammy and R Smoke stated, he never once felt this way. The article by Tsai was just another reminder of why this kid is so special as both a player and a person.

Yeah sure, he's human and has made some mistakes in the past, but he's since won the hearts of the people in the entire state of Hawai'i. This guy is special, and every person who crosses paths with him will understand what he's all about.

And I don't know about y'all, but I'm excited to see Colt compete for a spot in the NFL! Redskins fans will find out just how good he is in due time.