University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan and left slotback Davone Bess yesterday were named to The Associated Press' All-America third team.

Colorado linebacker Jordan Dizon, a 2004 graduate from Waimea High School, is on the first team of the AP All-America team.

Also, Brennan and right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins were selected to the www.SportsIllustrated.com's All-America second team.

Both are recognized as official All-America lists, although the AP teams are considered to be more prestigious.

"Obviously, it's a great honor," Brennan said of the selections. "I'm really excited. Anytime you get recognition it's nice."

Florida's Tim Tebow, the Heisman Trophy winner, was the first-team quarterback on both lists.

But Brennan, despite missing 12 quarters because of injuries (concussion, sprained right ankle) and blowouts, produced statistics that were superior to Tebow's.

Brennan, who was third in the Heisman voting this year, completed 71.4 percent of his passes (337 of 472) for 4,174 yards and 38 touchdowns. Tebow connected on 68.4 percent of his passes (217 of 317) for 3,132 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Furthermore, unlike Tebow, Brennan will play in a BCS post-season game this season. The Warriors, who are Division I-A's only unbeaten team at 12-0, play Georgia in the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl.

Tebow was trumpeted for amassing 51 combined touchdowns — he rushed for 22 scores. But 16 of his scoring runs covered 5 yards or fewer. Last year, Brennan finished sixth in the Heisman voting despite amassing 63 touchdowns — 58 by passing, five by rushing.

Brennan acknowledged his "numbers" were down from 2006, when he produced the best statistical season by a quarterback in NCAA history. If not for missing one game and being limited to two plays in another this season, "I was on track" this year, Brennan said.

He added: "There were a lot of kids who had great years out there. Any recognition is good."

For now, Brennan said he is focused on participating in Sunday's graduation ceremonies. He needs to pass three classes this semester to earn a bachelor's degree in communications.

"There's nothing normal about my life right now," Brennan said. "I'm trying to get my thesis done."

Bess and Grice-Mullins were high-paying slots, finishing the regular season fifth and sixth, nationally, in receptions per game. Bess caught 101 passes for 1,213 yards. Grice-Mullins had 100 receptions for 1,335. Both juniors had 12 scoring receptions apiece.

"I'm thankful," Bess said. "I give praise to my coaches and teammates. I'm going to try to work my way to second or first team next year."

Grice-Mullins said: "I'm happy. It's a pretty good accomplishment. I definitely worked hard, but it was never my goal to be on an all-star team. It was to do what we did as a team. That was the most important thing."

Dizon amassed 160 tackles, second most in the nation, this season. He was also first in solo stops with 120 and his 440 career tackles are fourth most in Colorado history.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.