Before this season, the University of Hawai'i football team never had an All-America quarterback.

In a 10-day span, Colt Brennan has been named to three All-America teams.

Yesterday, College Football News selected Brennan to its 2006 All-America second team.

While Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith was named to the first team once again — he also was the No. 1 quarterback on the Associated Press and Walter Camp Foundation teams — this time Brennan finished ahead of Notre Dame's Brady Quinn for postseason honors. CFN named Quinn as an honorable mention.

CFN's editorial staff made the selections in consultation with sources across the nation.

"Anytime you get recognized, it's awesome," said Brennan, a fourth-year junior from Orange County, Calif. "College Football News is very credible. They do a good job trying to do the research. It's cool. I appreciate it."

Brennan, who was named to several preseason all-star teams, is leading the nation in five of seven quarterback categories, including total offense, touchdown passes and passing efficiency.

"It's awesome to get these things at the end of the year when they matter the most," Brennan said. "People were talking about us at the beginning of the year. For them to say nice things about us at the end of the year says a lot about us, our character and type of football team we have."

ESTES MOVING OVER

In a little more than a week, the attention will shift to a new center.

Samson Satele is completing his eligibility following the Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, and right guard John Estes is the projected successor.

"That's the plan," said Estes, a second-year freshman from Stockton, Calif.

In spring practice in April, Estes worked mostly as the first-team center. Satele served as a student-coach.

When training camp opened, Satele was at center. He was the starting left guard for three seasons.

Flanked by Satele and right tackle Dane Uperesa, Estes received on-the-job training in identifying defenses and coverages.

"I didn't really understand the calls earlier this year," Estes said. "But from game experience and watching Sam make all of the calls, I'm understanding the basic rules."

Satele said: "We told him to listen to me, Dane and Tala (Esera, the left tackle). He's been listening. He's a coachable guy."

Estes, who is 6 feet 2 and 292 pounds, said he plans to work on improving his strength (he can bench press 365 pounds), his stance and footwork. As a center, he will need to make shotgun snaps out of a lower stance.

"I still need to sharpen up in the spring to be ready," Estes said.

After the bowl game, he will return to Stockton for a week. He said he plans to spend most of the summer training in Hawai'i.

Marques Kaonohi, a backup senior center, said Estes should have little trouble making the transition from guard.

"He knows the whole offense," Kaonohi said. "He's smart and he can snap accurately."

Uperesa said: "He'll grow more comfortable in the system, especially around the guys. ... Once he realizes he's the leader of the line, he'll realize he has a responsibility on his shoulders. He'll be all right. He'll be a good leader."

As the bowl approaches, Satele said he will have lengthier discussions with Estes.

Satele said he will tell Estes: "If anybody says you're going to fill my shoes, my shoes moved on. You have new shoes."

Satele added: "He knows the offense, and he'll have the spring under his belt (entering training camp). He'll be an awesome o-lineman. John knows what he has to do to be a great o-lineman. I think he'll be the greatest o-lineman to ever play in Hawai'i. He's unbelievable. He's got balance. He's got power. He's got everything."

LINEBACKERS IN, OUT

In a game of musical outside linebackers, Brashton Satele was on the sideline.

Satele left the field in the middle of yesterday's practice after suffering an apparent pulled hamstring. This season, Satele, a second-year freshman, has suffered injuries to his quadriceps, shoulders and right hamstring.

Satele had performed well in practices this week, and was projected to have an expanded role against Arizona State in the Hawai'i Bowl.

Meanwhile, Tyson Kafentzis, who did not participate in practices Wednesday and Thursday, was the starting left outside linebacker yesterday.

Kafentzis had undergone treatment for an ankle injury that forced him to miss four games during the regular season.

The three other starting linebackers — Solomon Elimimian, Adam Leonard and Micah Lau — skipped practice to take final exams.

Yesterday was the last day of the fall semester.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.