Texas Longhorns Begin Life Without Quarterback Colt McCoy
February 27th, 2010 – Written By Bonnie
The Texas Longhorns are set to begin their spring practice on Friday without former starting quarterback Colt McCoy. Garrett Gilbert is set to take the reins and head coach Mack Brown is expecting great things from the former high school national player of the year. Gilbert appeared in 10 games last season but probably gained his most experience as a freshman when he was forced into action after McCoy went down 5 plays into the national championship game against Alabama. Brown got a glimpse of what the future could possibly hold for the Longhorns.
“If he had not played in that game and had not played well like he did … I think the team probably wouldn’t know what they had going into the spring. Now they know. This guy can be good,” Brown said.
Texas fell behind 24-6 early in their game with Alabama and Gilbert was off to a rough start. He mounted a comeback in the second half that showed quite a bit of promise for the future, despite completing only 15 of 40 pass attempts with 4 interceptions.
“I think if he was fragile, that would hurt him. He’ll use that game to motivate himself and make himself better,” Brown said.
Gilbert is entering the same type of situation that McCoy came into. McCoy had to follow in the footsteps of former great Vince Young. Gilbert will bring a similar style to the quarterback position that McCoy had, but will likely not be as apt to tuck the ball and run. He does appear to have better arm strength than his predecessor though. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, he is bigger than McCoy but will likely not put up the rushing yards that McCoy mounted as he led the Longhorns in rushing in 2008. On the season last year, Gilbert completed 30 of 66 pass attempts for 310 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Texas will enter their 2011 campaign in NCAA College Football with other key losses as well. The Longhorns lose star wide out and kick returner Jordan Shipley to graduation and safety Earl Thomas who will enter the NFL draft after completing his sophomore season. Texas did wind up with one of the top recruiting classes in the nation and Brown has stated that the incoming freshman could challenge for some starting positions.
“We’ve told the older guys, ‘Get your spot this spring or we’ll look for other guys in the fall. You’ve got your chance right now,” Brown said.
Bodog Sportsbook has the Longhorns as 14/1odds to win the BCS Title game in 2011, according to College Football Betting Lines.
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