Vince Young Turning Pro
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 3:53 pmJust got a text message from the DMN that says 'UT QB Vince Young turning pro.' No big surprise. 
Here's the story on the DMN web site:
AUSTIN – Texas junior quarterback Vince Young will forego his final year of eligibility and make himself eligible for the NFL Draft at a news conference in Austin this afternoon, according to his godmother
Vince Young is expected to have a news conference this afternoon. Yolande Levine said Young and Young's mother, Felicia, met with Young's pastor, Samuel H. Smith, in Houston on Sunday morning before finalizing the decision. Young was on his way to Austin to meet with Texas coach Mack Brown to tell Brown of Young's decision, Levine said.
"After that performance in the Rose Bowl, I think we all kind of knew which way he was going to go," Levine said.
Levine said it was important to Young to return to campus to meet with Brown with all the same people who were on his recruiting visit: his mother, the family's attorney, Major Adams, and his uncle, Keith Young.
Vince Young becomes the first high-profile player to leave Texas early for the NFL in Brown's eight years as coach of the Longhorns.
Young scored twice in the final 4:30, including an 8-yard, game-winning touchdown run with 19 seconds left, to beat USC, 41-38, for the national title on Wednesday. Young's NFL draft stock seemed to soar after accounting for a Rose Bowl record 467 yards of total offense in the game.
But published reports have said the Houston Texans, who have the first pick, will pick up an $8 million roster bonus to keep quarterback David Carr and will draft USC tailback Reggie Bush.
Published reports have said the New Orleans Saints are interested in USC quarterback Matt Leinart with the second pick. The Tennessee Titans, who have quarterback Steve McNair, a mentor to and close friend of Young's, have the third pick.
Young's decision could influence that of junior offensive tackle Justin Blalock of Plano East, who is also considering an early jump to the NFL. When asked at the Rose Bowl if Young turning pro would impact his decision, Blalock said, "Somewhat."
Blalock couldn't immediately be reached for comment on Sunday.
Mack Brown said Thursday he wants whatever is best for Young.
"If he's back and unhappy, that's the worst thing you can possibly have," Brown said. "What we want in rewards for Vince is what is in his heart. What is best for him will be best for the University of Texas. Somebody asked me, 'If you win the national championship and Vince leaves, what will you do?' I said, 'I'll kiss him.'"
Young will leave Texas as the school's all-time leader in total offense (9,167 yards), career quarterback victories (30-2), career rushing TDs by a QB (37) and career TDs responsible for (81).
Young will also leave as the school's No. 5 all-time leading rusher (3,127 yards) behind Ricky Williams (6,279), Cedric Benson (5,540), Earl Campbell (4,443) and Chris Gilbert (3,231).
Young set the UT single-season total offense record (4,086 yards) in 2005 and became the only player in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards (1,050) and pass for 3,000 yards (3,036) in a single season. He was honored with the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and the Maxwell Award, given to the nation's best college football player.
Here's the story on the DMN web site:
AUSTIN – Texas junior quarterback Vince Young will forego his final year of eligibility and make himself eligible for the NFL Draft at a news conference in Austin this afternoon, according to his godmother
Vince Young is expected to have a news conference this afternoon. Yolande Levine said Young and Young's mother, Felicia, met with Young's pastor, Samuel H. Smith, in Houston on Sunday morning before finalizing the decision. Young was on his way to Austin to meet with Texas coach Mack Brown to tell Brown of Young's decision, Levine said.
"After that performance in the Rose Bowl, I think we all kind of knew which way he was going to go," Levine said.
Levine said it was important to Young to return to campus to meet with Brown with all the same people who were on his recruiting visit: his mother, the family's attorney, Major Adams, and his uncle, Keith Young.
Vince Young becomes the first high-profile player to leave Texas early for the NFL in Brown's eight years as coach of the Longhorns.
Young scored twice in the final 4:30, including an 8-yard, game-winning touchdown run with 19 seconds left, to beat USC, 41-38, for the national title on Wednesday. Young's NFL draft stock seemed to soar after accounting for a Rose Bowl record 467 yards of total offense in the game.
But published reports have said the Houston Texans, who have the first pick, will pick up an $8 million roster bonus to keep quarterback David Carr and will draft USC tailback Reggie Bush.
Published reports have said the New Orleans Saints are interested in USC quarterback Matt Leinart with the second pick. The Tennessee Titans, who have quarterback Steve McNair, a mentor to and close friend of Young's, have the third pick.
Young's decision could influence that of junior offensive tackle Justin Blalock of Plano East, who is also considering an early jump to the NFL. When asked at the Rose Bowl if Young turning pro would impact his decision, Blalock said, "Somewhat."
Blalock couldn't immediately be reached for comment on Sunday.
Mack Brown said Thursday he wants whatever is best for Young.
"If he's back and unhappy, that's the worst thing you can possibly have," Brown said. "What we want in rewards for Vince is what is in his heart. What is best for him will be best for the University of Texas. Somebody asked me, 'If you win the national championship and Vince leaves, what will you do?' I said, 'I'll kiss him.'"
Young will leave Texas as the school's all-time leader in total offense (9,167 yards), career quarterback victories (30-2), career rushing TDs by a QB (37) and career TDs responsible for (81).
Young will also leave as the school's No. 5 all-time leading rusher (3,127 yards) behind Ricky Williams (6,279), Cedric Benson (5,540), Earl Campbell (4,443) and Chris Gilbert (3,231).
Young set the UT single-season total offense record (4,086 yards) in 2005 and became the only player in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards (1,050) and pass for 3,000 yards (3,036) in a single season. He was honored with the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and the Maxwell Award, given to the nation's best college football player.
