Brennan’s UH success could help sway Wittek

Every day of quarterback Max Wittek’s high school football career at Mater Dei brought him face to face with Colt Brennan.

Never mind that they played at the Santa Ana, Calif., football powerhouse billed as “Quarterback High” nine years apart, the reminders were frequent and hard to miss.

The glass display cases in the Merulo Athletic Center held items from Brennan’s record-breaking career at the University of Hawaii, where he was a Heisman Trophy finalist, along with the winners, John Huarte (1964) and Matt Leinart (2004), in the school’s celebrated “Heisman Lane.”

Then, too, there was that photo of Brennan in head coach Bruce Rollinson’s office and his tapes in the film room.

As Wittek, the prize of this year’s college “free-agent” quarterback market, goes about selecting a school to transfer to from USC, the Brennan tie is one that shouldn’t be overlooked.

This is not to say that Wittek will end up in green and white or even that it makes UH a front-runner for his much-sought-after services or tips the scales. It doesn’t. But it is a toe in the door and a reference point the ’Bows haven’t had going for them in previous QB pursuits.

Wittek visited Texas over the weekend, friends say, and he has also said he is considering Louisville, Virginia Tech and UH.

The 6-foot, 4-inch, 236-pound Wittek is scheduled to graduate from USC in May and, under NCAA rules, would be able to transfer without penalty with two years of eligibility, similar to what Sean Schroeder did in coming from Duke.

That makes him appealing to UH and a host of other schools seeking immediate help from a pro-style quarterback.

Wittek played in 14 games over two seasons at USC, starting two, while completing 50 of 95 passes for 600 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. In two appearances against UH, he was 8-for-13 for 99 yards.

Rollinson, who had been an advisor to Wittek during his decision to leave USC, said he counseled the quarterback, “Son, if I’m you, I’m trying to find a school where I can get on the field.”

Texas returns senior David Ash, who played in three games last year before being sidelined by a concussion, and sophomore Tyrone Swope. If Ash wins his petition with the NCAA, he would have two years of eligibility remaining.

Rollinson said he didn’t advise Wittek on specific schools, but said he told him, “Find a home that gets you on the football field. If that’s a prestigious school, fine. If that’s not, fine, (but) find a home because you have to get back on the field. You have talent and you’ve gotta display that talent.”

Rollinson said, “Obviously, (Norm Chow) and Hawaii throw the football and that’s what he (Wittek) does. He has a big-time arm. To me, personally, I mean, Colt Brennan had a helluva career at Hawaii and he is one of ours.

“Could he (Wittek) fit in that offense? Yes. But, again, that is just my opinion. The Witteks have to make their own decision and, ultimately, it is Max’s decision.”

The familiarity of Brennan’s footsteps can’t hurt.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com.or 529-4820.