They came bearing pristine jerseys and miniature footballs, banners and posters, helmets and hand-drawn pictures — and Sharpies, lots and lots of Sharpies.

They came rooted with decades of team loyalty, alight with fresh memories of a national ranking. They came for a springtime hint of what the autumn games will bring, to get an idea of just what prodigal defensive coordinator Greg McMackin will bring back to the program, to make their wagers on who will emerge from all those open-position battles.

But, more than anything, they came for Colt.

Colt Brennan, the University of Hawai'i's rising senior quarterback, was positioned to the far right of autograph-signing area at yesterday's Football 'Ohana Festival at Aloha Stadium, but there was little doubt that he was the center of attention for the thousands of fans who attended the event.

Brennan and teammates Davone Bess, Tyler Graunke, Hercules Satele, Ryan Grice-Mullen, Jason Rivers, John Estes, Adam Leonard, Michael Lafaele, Jacob Patek, Blaze Soares, Ryan Keomaka, Keala Watson and Brad Kalilimoku signed autographs and took pictures with fans for an hour before their final practice of the spring season got underway.

And while each of the autograph lines remained filled throughout, none quite compared to the one leading up to UH's Heisman candidate, a line that arced around the stadium's spiral walkway, down a meandering walkway and into the parking lot more than a hundred yards away.

Seven-year-old Justin Davis stood expectantly at the front of that line with a football.

He had attended his first UH football game last November when the Warriors defeated Purdue 42-35 behind Brennan's 434 yards and three touchdowns.

"It got him fired up and now he wants to go to every game," said Lynn Davis, Justin's mother.

Also in line were Justin's father Kevin, brother Jared and cousin Tyler Allen.

"I think it's great that (UH) is doing this," Kevin Davis said. "It's nice to get out, and the kids can get up close to their favorite football players."

Lester Kaichi, 53, of 'Aiea waited patiently in line with a green UH football helmet. (He also gave a Tom Brady figurine a Colt Brennan paint-over for his niece.)

"When I saw Colt at the news conference (announcing his decision to return to UH), by the look on his face I didn't think he was coming back," Kaichi said. "I was really surprised and happy."

Kaichi, a staunch UH supporter and season-ticket holder since the Dave Holmes years (minus Fred vonAppen's unfortunate last season), said yesterday's enthusiastic turnout was a show of appreciation by UH fans for Brennan.

Thirty-year-old Jennifer Stevens and her son Jeremy, 9, arrived a few minutes late and found themselves 100 yards and at least an hour back in line for a Brennan autograph.

No problem, Stevens said. She and her son were powerfully motivated to stick it out.

"We have our reasons," Stevens said.

Hers was simple enough.

"I think he's hot," Stevens said, laughing. "I'm not into football but with a guy like Colt, I think you can bring more females into the game."

And why does Jeremy like Brennan?

"Who?" Jeremy said.

"The UH player you always watch," Stevens reminded.

"Oh," Jeremy said. "He's my favorite player."

Kevin Lopez, a 38-year-old police officer from 'Ewa Beach, came to the practice with his wife Lori, their children Brandi, 7, and Brandon, 5, and an enormous "H" banner he had made for his garage.

Lopez said his daughter is a budding fan.

"She likes Colt," he said. "She says he's her boyfriend."

The family attends every home game and last year traveled to see UH play against UNLV and USC.

Lopez, who also attends UH football practices, had just one prediction for the upcoming season: "Win."

Kaena Gascon, 14, of Pearl City was a little more specific.

"Win the WAC," he said.

Gascon made the rounds of the autograph tables, grinning widely as he posed for a photo with Hercules Satele.

The UH players said they appreciated the chance to meet and greet their fans.

"I think it's great," said junior linebacker Soloman Eliminian. "It's fun for us to get to know the fans before the season."

Junior quarterback Tyler Graunke gamely signed autographs with his injured right hand.

"It's getting a little sore," he admitted, before waving on the next fan in line.

Among those wandering the concourse before the practice was new UH head basketball coach Bob Nash, who graciously accepted the handshakes of hundreds of well-wishers offering congratulations for his promotion from assistant coach.

With Brennan furiously signing autographs just a screen pass away, Nash couldn't avoid the speculation on which of the two was the more valuable off-season retention.

"I think it's Colt," Nash said with a chuckle. "I'll put the pressure on him."

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.