With his quickness, nimble feet and elusiveness, quarterback Dru Brown would never be “It” in a game of tag.
But in the sport of football, Brown has the “it” factor.
He might not have the physical stature (6 feet, when he inhales) or background (zero Division I offers as a Los Gatos High senior), but, well …
“He makes plays,” offensive coordinator Brian Smith said.
Since becoming the starting quarterback in the fifth week last year, Brown is 6-4, including a victory in the Hawaii Bowl. He was efficient in the spread (62.4 percent accuracy, including 70 percent on third-and-short) and run-pass option (6.33 yards per non-sack scramble or keeper). He also had a streak of 118 passes without an interception.
Brown has the mystique of a one-way mirror. Separated by a towering offensive line, Brown can find receivers while defenders struggle to find him. He maneuvers in the pocket to locate passing lanes, much like how a kid can launch water balloons from behind tree trunks.
“Even if you’re 6-2, which is kind of like ‘he’s tall enough,’ if you have 6-5 linemen, you can do the math,” Brown said. “You’re still not going to be able to see over them. You have to look through lanes.”
Brown has always attacked obstacles. As a youth gymnast, he excelled in scaling the pommel horse. As a junior quarterback at Los Gatos, Brown held the clipboard while Nick Bawden — now San Diego State’s fullback — took all the snaps. Many recruiters prefer advance notice, and with a lack of junior-year highlights, Brown did not have enough buzz, despite a solid senior season. There was interest from colleges, Brown said, “but nobody pulled the trigger.”
Brown headed to College of San Mateo. While many regard JC football as a second chance, Brown viewed it as a first opportunity. His leadership and passing skills rekindled interest from UH coach Nick Rolovich, who first met Brown at a Nevada camp two summers earlier. Rolovich promised Brown a shot if a scholarship became available; it did, a month before UH’s 2016 training camp and just before Brown was set to return to San Mateo for his sophomore season.
Acknowledging the short shelf life of a college football career, Brown avoids partying. He said he focuses on school and football. As the No. 1 quarterback, he embraces the platform to help teammates and share his Christian faith — but only if asked. While he responds to coaches, Brown shrugs off critiques from outsiders.
“If they don’t like me, I really don’t care,” Brown said. “That’s how I was raised. … My parents taught me that. There are people who are going to want to see you fail. You don’t need to worry about them. You have to stick to your roots and your faith.”
SCOUTING REPORT: QUARTERBACKS
Since the end of the 2016 season, the battle has been between Cole McDonald and Cole Brownholtz for top backup to Dru Brown. Both Coles redshirted last year. Both are skilled scramblers. McDonald can run 100 meters in 10.9 seconds. Brownholtz has a strong arm and multiple deliveries, and has worked on touch passes. Beau Reilly and Aaron Zwahlen transferred out, but walk-on freshmen Karson Greeley and Justin Uahinui have been added, as has volleyball standout and former Punahou star Larry Tuileta. Kyle Gallup underwent meniscus surgery, and when he returns at midseason, he might be headed to tight end.
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QUARTERBACKS
2 | Dru Brown | 6-0 | 200 | Jr. | San Mateo, Calif.
13 | Cole McDonald | 6-4 | 205 | Fr. | La Mirada, Calif.
17 | Cole Brownholtz | 6-4 | 210 | So. | Carmichael, Calif.
14 | Larry Tuileta | 6-2 | 200 | Jr. | Honolulu
