Offensive lineman Samson Satele yesterday announced he will return to the University of Hawai'i football team for his senior season.

"It was a hard decision, but I wanted to graduate," said Satele, a 2005 All-Western Athletic Conference guard who is on track to earn a bachelor's degree in December. "I'm staying one more year."

Last month, Satele indicated he might forgo his senior season and apply for the 2006 National Football League Draft in April.

UH coach June Jones told Satele to delay a decision until receiving an assessment of his draft potential from the NFL.

The NFL, according to Satele, rated him as a "first-day player," meaning he would be selected in the draft's first three rounds. The final four rounds are conducted on the second day.

Satele is expected to move from left guard to center during spring practice in March. Jones said he believes Satele's draft value will improve as a center.

"The NFL is always looking for centers and tackles," Jones said.

Last year's starting center, Derek Fa'avi, completed his NCAA eligibility in December. Jones said Satele, who played two games at center in 2005, will not have difficulty with the shotgun snaps in the Warriors' four-wide passing offense.

"He can handle that," Jones said. "I expect him to be a very good center."

Satele said: "I'll play wherever the team needs me to play. I feel comfortable at center. Hopefully, things will work out."

In 2003, Satele was named to the Scripps/Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America team.

In 2004, he was selected to the All-WAC second team.

Although he wanted to explore his NFL options following the 2005 season, Satele said, "I was leaning more toward staying in school."

He said he reached his decision last week, but delayed the announcement until after meeting separately with his parents and Jones yesterday.

BRENNAN REWARDED

UH officials yesterday initiated the paper work to award a football scholarship to quarterback Colt Brennan.

"Sweet," said Brennan, who transferred from Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, Calif., last summer.

As a third-year sophomore, Brennan finished the 2005 season as the NCAA leader in passing yards (4,301) and touchdowns (35). He attended Monday's Fiesta Bowl, where he watched Notre Dame's Brady Quinn fail in a bid to seize the touchdown lead.

Brennan said the UH scholarship will ease his parents' financial load. "They're really going to enjoy it," he said.

Still, Brennan said, "I liked the fact that I started out as a walk-on. There are a ton of guys who walked on (at UH), like Chad Owens and Ashley (Lelie). To work hard while paying your own way is something I was proud of. I looked at being a walk-on as a badge of honor."

DBS DELAYED

Defensive backs KayBrin Stevenson and Ulysses Dalton are not expected to meet the NCAA requirements to enroll at the University of Hawai'i for the spring semester. There is a possibility they will be eligible to participate in training camp in August.

UH has reserved two "initials" — scholarships earmarked for junior-college transfers and high school recruits — for both players. The Warriors have 22 initial scholarships to offer to this year's recruiting class.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.