An emotional University of Hawai‘i quarterback Colt Brennan announces he is returning for his senior season. Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

"This is one of the most difficult decisions I've had to make," an emotional Brennan said. "I've decided to come back for my senior year.

"I don't think I prepared myself (for the NFL) yet. I have yet to prepare myself yet physically and mentally... get myself, my mind and my body ready."

Brennan said he came to his decision Tuesday night.

"We have a chance to have an unbelievable football team next season," Brennan said.

Brennan filed paperwork with the NFL on Monday, but had 72 hours to change his mind. He made his announcement this afternoon in a packed press conference at the Stan Sheriff Center.

UH football head coach June Jones said, "I believe it's in the best interest for his family and his family here."

The 23-year-old from Irvine, Calif., guided UH to an 11-3 record last season, including a second-place finish (7-1) in the Western Athletic Conference and a 41-24 victory over Arizona State in the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl on Dec. 24. The Warriors ranked No. 24 in the nation in the final USA Today Top 25 coaches poll of the season.

Brennan was named the recipient of the Sammy Baugh Award, given annually to the nation's top passer, and honored as an All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation (second team) and the Associated Press (third team).

Brennan, the Western Athletic Conference offense player of the year, set NCAA season records for touchdown passes (58) and passing efficiency (185.96). Hawai'i led the nation in passing offense (441.29 yards per game), total offense (559.21 ypg) and scoring offense (46.86 points per game). He completed 406 of 559 passes for 5,549 yards.

In his two years as a Warrior, he completed 756 of 1,074 passes for 9,850 yards, 93 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in 26 games. Brennan also had 185 rushes for 520 yards and seven TDs.

The deadline for NFL draft-eligible players to apply was Monday. The league will officially announce the underclassmen (juniors and redshirt sophomores) who entered the NFL draft on Friday, after the NCAA's deadline for withdrawing an application tomorrow.