Tags: C.J. Hawthorne, Colt Brennan, Davone Bess, Hawaii, Jason Rivers, Ryan Grice Mullen

Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan is two touchdown passes away from breaking Ty Detmer’s career college football record of 121. In this essay for The Quad, Colt Brennan reflects on his career, and tips his helmet to his four dreadlocked receivers, who are affectionately known as The Dread Heads.

It’s said that behind every great man is a great woman. Well in the case of a quarterback, his receivers assume that role. As the Hawaii Warriors continue their run at an undefeated season, I’m sure everyone has heard about me, Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan. I’m sure everyone is a little tired of hearing about the Hawaii quarterback. No one more than me. So I’d like to take this opportunity to give my receivers their well-deserved due.

It all starts on the inside with my two slot receivers, Davone Bess, and Ryan Grice-Mullen. These two have started every game with me since I got here in 2005. They started as true freshman, and each had over 1,000 yards receiving their first year. People refer to Davone and Ryan as twins, because they look alike and are often confused by their fans. Although they look alike, produce alike, and play alike, these two young men have their differences. For instance they both have dreadlocks, but Davone has blonde tips, while Ryan has blonde streaks. Davone is the raw talent, the thick little slot who makes ridiculous catches, jukes you and flat out strikes fear in opposing defenders. Davone plays with a chip on his shoulder. He doesn’t just try to make you miss, he embarrasses you.

Ryan is fast!!! Really fast, if you don’t believe me, watch the Alabama game from last year. The Tide took SEC talent and manned up on him all night. Boy did he have fun. Ryan’s the quick, squirrelly slot who catches balls in ways in people have never thought of. He has the ability to take five-yard routes and turn them into 60-yard touchdowns in a flash. Last week against New Mexico State Ryan caught three touchdowns; each one came against man coverage. Both Ryan and Davone are walking highlight reels, with great on-field personalities.

Nothing complements a slot receiver better than a physical, vertical threat. Meet Jason Rivers, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound, half-black, half-Samoan man-child. Jason Rivers is bad, and I mean that the good way. At some point before each game, Jason decides that he just doesn’t like the other team, and gets angry, really angry. What results in the next 60 minutes is him breaking tackles, running people over and throwing devastating blocks. He has a blocking technique that amuses us all when watching film. He knows how to get a defensive back to think it’s a play not involving him, and once the defender turns his head to see what’s going on, Jason explodes through the him, leaving him on the ground wondering what just happened. Jason happens to be a great receiver. His long stride allows him to make big plays after the catch and run effective vertical routes. He is Hawaii’s all-time leading receiver, and last year in our bowl game against Arizona State, Jason had 308 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns. That’s the most yards ever by a receiver in a bowl game.

Last and certainly not least, is C.J. Hawthorne. C.J. has sacrificed a lot for this team. Despite his being a senior, this is his first year as a starter. Last year he rotated on defense as a defensive back. The rumor is C.J. is the fastest guy on the team. C.J. is married and has young son named Kobe. And he is one of the most respected guys on the team. It’s been fun watching C.J. grow into the player he has become this year. C.J. has made some of the biggest catches during the most crucial times this year. C.J is the type of guy everyone is rooting for, he has a strong faith in the Lord, and his only response to praise is “I’m just blessed”. He is the definition of a team player, and plays with an immeasurable amount of heart and pride. Not only his play, but the person he is inspires those around him. The best example of this was in the San Jose State game. The common theme that helped us to a fourth-quarter comeback was “believe”. C.J. single handedly installed that belief in our teams mind, and by the game’s end we believed ourselves to an overtime victory.

These four young men have helped me become one of the most recognized quarterbacks in college football, but what they have done for me on the field is only a fraction compared to what they have done for me as friends. They are the Dread Heads, by far the best receiving corps in the nation. A quarterback’s dream and our next five opponents’ nightmare. You can now get tickets to the hottest events in Hawaii.

See more at http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com