While the Patriots are beginning team workouts with the future of the NFL season still in doubt, New England’s other professional football team — the United Football League’s Hartford Colonials — is making moves as well, signing former University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan.
A two-time All-American, Brennan shattered national records at Hawaii — his marks for touchdowns (58), completion percentage (72.6) and passer rating (186.0) set in 2006 have yet to be surpassed nationally.
Brennan’s NFL hopes never panned out, however, as injuries kept him off the field in three seasons with Washington and Oakland, and he hopes to rebuild his career in the up-and-coming UFL.
“The UFL over the last two years has maintained a respect level and has done a lot of things to help a lot of players get back to the NFL. That’s my ultimate goal,” Brennan said in a press release. “I’m so excited and grateful to have a chance to play football this fall. My only focus right now is playing for the Hartford Colonials.”
Brennan joins a growing list of former NFL quarterbacks who have tried their hand in the UFL. This list includes such notable names as J.P. Losman, Josh McCown and Dante Culpepper.
Although he is a native of California, Brennan has New England ties. After attending Mater Dei High School in California — where he backed up current Houston Texans quarterback Matt Leinart — Brennan moved east for a year to complete a post-graduate year at Worcester Academy in Worcester, Mass.
Brennan will compete for the starting job in Hartford with 2011 No. 1 overall draft pick Jerrod Johnson, the 2010 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year at Texas A&M.
Now in their second year in Hartford, the Colonials play their home games at Rentschler Field, home of the University of Connecticut football team. The team will host open tryouts Saturday, June 4, in Middletown, Conn.. The 2011 regular season will begin in August.
