Tuesday, May 29, 2001- The Michigan Daily - 9 The Brinton file: leight: 6'5" Weight: 220 pounds Position: Quarterback Hometown: Hemet, California TemeculaValley High School) Family: Father Merrill, mother Kalle, older sister Rachael (Graduate student at the University's School of Social Work), older sister Emily, twin older sisters Sarah and Rebecca, and younger sister Eliza (unior at BrighamA oung University), San Diego State: Won 4-of-6 games as thefirst truefreshman to start for theAztecs in1997. Finished, the season with six touchdowns and k 10 interceptions. He completed 45- M percent of his passes. Injury: He suffered aseason-ending injury in the second game of his sophomore season. He strained ligaments in the thumb of his throwing hand when he inadver- ntly struck a helmet. issionary: He traveled to South Africato serve and preach to the Zulu people fortwo years. He retumed to Americain April. Wolverine: Coach Lloyd Carr offered Brinton ascholarship without ever actually seeing him face-to-face. He enters the season without awell-defined role, Education: He is currently enrolled in LSA, but he is unde- cided about his major He hopes to one day earn an MBA in B nternational Business, s: Why didn't Brinton just return to exactly pleading for his return. an Diego State where he could have "We weren't going to take him back een a starter from Day One? The after his mission," San Diego State head nswer can be found on any fall Satur- coach Ted Tollner said. "We were going lay in Ann Arbor - the unparalleled in a different direction after that." ollege football atmosphere. Ironically, Brinton was hoping to Coming from Southern California, attend Ohio State University when he Irinton was looking to go to a place came out of high school. vhere football is king. He was one of four quarterbacks out "On the west coast people would ask, of California that the Buckeyes were What are you going to do: the game or recruiting. each?' and a lot of people took the Head coach John Cooper offered all e ond offer there," Brinton said. four scholarships, and said that the first In addition, San Diego State wasn't two return callers would be chosen. Brinton was not home and he was the last to call back. WELCOME TO THE BIG HOUSE After the long trek back to Califor- nia, Brinton spent just three days at home before flying to Ann Arbor. On the last day of April,.Brinton and his parents arrived at Metro Airport in Detroit. But it was late, and Brinton was in bed before the city of Ann Arbor could make an impression. Classes began at 9 a.m. for Brinton, who is taking Psychology 305 this term. The class allows Brinton to help, .befriend and advise youths in Detroit. It enables him to continue the life of serv- ice he led on the mission. But the football itch woke Brinton early, and he ran to Schembechler Hall to meet the coaches at 8 a.m. He didn't have time for a grand tour. But no soon- er was his class over than the Brinton family found itself standing on the field at Michigan Stadium. This was the encounter with tradition that Brinton had been waiting for. "This is the dream,' Brinton said. "I just looked up at all the rows and rows going up. I got chills." BUT CAN HE PLAY? As the first true freshman to start at San Diego State, Brinton was 72-of-162 for 1,097 yards and six touchdowns, with 10 interceptions. The numbers aren't jaw-dropping, but the Aztecs went 4-2 with him at quarterback after losing their first five games. An injury to senior Kevin McKech- nie vaulted Brinton into his first colle- giate action against UNLV, a game the Aztecs eventually won. That first win has been the highlight of Brinton's ath- letic career. "I was surprised with how calm I was," Brinton said. "I felt like I had done it before. I was really focused on the game. It was a big win for us." While at San Diego State, the tall left-hander had the opportunity to face quality opponents such as Wisconsin Spencer Brinton led San Diego State to a 4-2 finish in 1997. An injury to starting quarterback Kevin McKechnie gave the left-hander his first opportunity to play. and Southern California before strained ligaments in his throwing hand side- lined him in the second game of his sophomore season. "I have been in situations," Brinton said. "I have faced zone defenses. I have played at this level before. You can't replace experience." Although the injury was a setback to his football career, it gave Brinton the chance he needed to leave his team and go on the mission to Africa. "I know that those things happen for a reason," Brinton said. "I am thankful that I had the opportunity to play foot- ball and go on the mission because coming out of high school, I wasn't going to go." He gives his mission credit for his newfound perspective and peace of mind on the field. "When I look at defenses, before they were kind of a blur," Brinton said. "But now they sink in and my mind is clear." Brinton, who turns 23 on July 30, still has three years of eligibility remaining, and he doesn't feel as though he has lost much while living on the other side of the world. "I am the same," Brinton said. "Just wiser." Brinton is currently watching film and throwing three days a week to help him readjust to the speed of the college game. He will also be spending more than his share of time with strength coach Mike Gittleson. How much has he picked up? "I've thrown every pass - no prob- lem," Brinton said. At least he isn't suffering from a lack of confidence. Brinton will try to make Michigan fans forget about departed quarterback Drew Henson by wearing the No. 7 jer- sey this fall. STARTER, BACKUP OR CLIPBOARD BOv? ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Lem- ming told the Michigan Daily in Janu- ary that Brinton "has developed into a better QB now. Michigan believes that -- he will be Henson's successor." When Henson decided to jump ship early for pinstripes and big bags of money, it brought Brinton a step closer to the starting position. But unless the Wolverines suffer another freak summer ankle injury, John Navarre will be the starting quar- terback when Michigan opens its sea- son at home against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 1. Did Henson's departure create a rift between Navarre and Brinton? "No. Not at all," Brinton answered quickly. "I experienced that selfish tic before with the other quarterback at San Diego State. It was ..." Brinton took a long pause searching for the right word, "unenjoyable." "Maybe you look for ways to cheat each other or get around the system to make yourself better than that person. When you do that, I don't think that it positively helps anyone." Actually, the two Michigan signal callers seem to have become fast friends. Brinton got a call from Navarre on his second day in Ann Arbor, inviting him over for a small gathering and bar- beque. The two are watching a lot of film together and are working to pool their collective experience to make the Wolverines better in 2001. "This team is the same talent, just new people," Brinton said. "There is enough talent here to win a national championship." Fpencer Brinton poses with some South African friends, Zwe and Zandile Mhlango, and their young son Sizwe.