No. 12 Hawaii building a winner out of rejects, such as Bess and Brennan

HONOLULU (AP) -Hawaii coach June Jones has built a winning program relying on rejects.

Several standouts for the 12th-ranked and unbeaten Warriors were once jettisoned by other schools after they were incarcerated, injured or simply didn't fit in.

Besides believing in second chances, Jones has accepted unwanted athletes because Hawaii, 2,500 miles from Los Angeles, can't recruit top prep talent the way other major college programs do. While plenty of teens like to go away to college, few want to make at least a 5-hour plane trip to get back home.

"We're 0 for 500. It just doesn't happen," Jones said. "It's becoming more of a possibility, but as of now, it's about a 0 percent chance, unless they have a tie here."

The only blue chip recruits Hawaii has a chance on are the ones who have a connection to the islands or come from adverse personal lives, such as a broken home, Jones said.

"We've had to look at guys a little more than other schools that maybe had difficulties. It's our job as coaches to help them through their difficult times," Jones said.

The recruiting woes could change soon if the Warriors (8-0) keep winning and break into a BCS bowl. They have won 18 of their last 19 games, a school-record 12 straight conference games and matched the best start since 1973.

Hawaii's second-chance stars are: quarterback Colt Brennan, receiver Davone Bess, linebacker Adam Leonard and running back Leon Wright-Jackson.

"I've been lucky," Jones said. "I've chosen some good kids that I've taken chances on."

After washing out at other schools, those players are thriving at Hawaii with the NFL in their sights. They have found redemption and a new home in the islands - a world away from their darkest days.

"A lot of people got their second chance over here and are making the best out of it," Leonard said.

Brennan is the Warriors' poster boy for making the most of a second chance.

He was let loose by Colorado in 2003 immediately after a woman accused him of entering her dorm room and fondling her. Brennan pleaded not guilty and spent seven days in jail after being convicted of burglary and trespassing for not leaving the dorm promptly.