An SUV pulled up outside the University of Hawai'i practice facility yesterday morning and a Warrior quarterback quickly bounced out, shaking hands, waving to spectators.

While some other veterans trudged toward the first day of training camp labors under a scorching sun, there was a spring in the quarterback's step and a thrilled-to-be-here smile across his face.

Colt Brennan?

Well, he looked happy and content enough. But we're talking about Tyler Graunke, the backup. The Warriors' 2008 starter in waiting ... and waiting.

Graunke does not have his own Heisman Trophy candidacy DVD. He has yet to grace his first magazine cover or re-write NCAA record books. Heck, his playing time is not assured.

But to watch and listen to Graunke yesterday was to understand he has something quite commendable going on as well. In this day and age, he's remarkable for a genuine sense of selflessness and laudable loyalty to his team.

After having invested three years — including a redshirt season — in waiting for the coveted trigger position of the Warriors' offense to open up for him, it would have been easy for Graunke to have dug out the moment Brennan chose to deliver the stunning news of his return to UH for a senior season. In some corners it was even the expected scenario for Graunke, the Arizona high school single-season passing record holder, who was the air apparent in the offense, first for Tim Chang and, then, Brennan. Except Brennan hasn't gone, yet.

Graunke could have bolted to a I-AA or Division II team and played right away. Nobody would have blamed him. Not when plenty of others from UH have already traveled that path.

Instead, Graunke is the poster spokesman for team unity. A point-to model of unselfishness and doing what it takes even if it doesn't smack of career enhancement. "I wish I could play for two years, but, hey, what happens happens," Graunke said. "It is cool. I like being a member of this team. I like being here and being part of all this. It isn't about me."

That's a sound bite you unfortunately won't hear out of many football camps this summer, college or pro.

But it hardly comes as a surprise to the people who know him best and have seen him mature as a quarterback and a person in situations that have tested him these last few years. "I appreciate his humility and humbleness through how we have competed for this job," Brennan said. "He could have done a lot of things but he didn't. He stuck to being a good guy and I think it is going to pay off for this team. And, hopefully, it will pay off for him, too."

Said quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison: "Knowing Tyler and how he is looking forward to this season, the only way I would have been surprised was if Tyler didn't come back ready to compete and make the team better."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.