As the University of Hawaii football team gears up for the 2024 season, sophomore receiver Pofele Ashlock paid homage to a Hawaii legend during Wednesday’s practice.
Ashlock, in a nod to the late great Colt Brennan, sported the bleached-blonde, Hawaiian Islands hairstyle that the former quarterback made famous ahead of the 2007 season opener.
“This past offseason, honestly, I had been thinking back to a lot of Colt Brennan,” Ashlock said. “Just seeing what the greats did in the past, amplify all of that, and bring it back to how they did their season. I mean, obviously with the 12-0 undefeated season, just watching a lot of that, you know, how they were together, the impact that Colt had for the people of Hawaii, just the aura he had.”
Brennan, who passed away in 2021, debuted the iconic look before his senior season in 2007. In the season opener against Northern Colorado, Brennan threw for 416 yards and six touchdowns in just two quarters of play. The Warriors went on to finish the regular season 12-0, earning a spot in the BCS Sugar Bowl. Brennan concluded that year with over 4,000 passing yards and 38 touchdowns, becoming Hawaii’s first and only Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing third in the voting.
“That’s greatness, you know? But all of that is just love,” Ashlock added. “He’s not even a Hawaii native, but he came in and embraced this culture, and that’s something that I want to fulfill. Coming over here, especially with my brother here too, I mean, we’re islanders as well, but we never lived on an island. So, you know, coming over here and fully embracing myself into this life, everything, you know, I mean, and I still do it to the highest standard. So I wanted to do everything for that, you know, just remember him by the way he did.”
Ashlock, a native of Euless, Texas, was named an FWAA Freshman All-American in 2023 after leading all FBS freshmen in receptions (83) and receiving yards (832). He also ranked third in touchdown receptions (9) and receiving yards per game (64.0). Ashlock was the first freshman to lead UH in receptions since former Colt Brennan target Davone Bess in 2005.
The Rainbow Warriors will kick off the 2024 season against Delaware State on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.