Colt McCoy Biography

Colt McCoy has gone from small-time Friday night lights to the shadow of Vince Young and the glow of the Heisman Trophy.

Colt McCoy: High School

Born the son of a football coach on September 5, 1986, Colt McCoy was truly bred to play the game of football. While most big-time college quarterbacks cut their teeth playing under the lights for giant college feeder schools, Colt McCoy led the Division 2A Jim Ned High School football team. From a small Texas town of under 1,000 people, Colt McCoy still earned praise from around the nation. Texas Longhorns coach Mack Brown chose Colt McCoy to be the understudy and eventual successor to Vince Young.

Colt McCoy: The Shadow of Vince

As a true freshman, Colt McCoy was given a red shirt and was unable to participate in any Texas Longhorns games. Colt McCoy did have a chance to study under Vince Young in his final year and learned a lot about the college game from the fellow dual-threat quarterback. Colt McCoy played an important role in practices, and his time on the scout team gave invaluable looks to the Texas Longhorns. Colt McCoy sat on the sidelines as Vince Young led the 2005 Texas Longhorns team to the BCS National Championship in the Rose Bowl.

Colt McCoy was pushed up the Texas Longhorns depth chart when Vince Young declared early for the 2006 NFL Draft. Colt McCoy inherited a good team from Vince Young, but he also took on a heavy load of expectations. Not all fans with Texas Longhorns tickets believed in the skinny small-town kid at first, and he seemed even smaller when compared to the Austin legend that Vince Young had become. The addition of true freshman Jevan Sneed to the Texas Longhorns roster also put pressure on Colt McCoy as Sneed was one of the best prospects in the nation.

Colt McCoy: 2006 Texas Longhorns

The quarterback battle between Colt McCoy and Jevan Sneed took a majority of the Texas Longhorns offseason and cast some doubt on the talented team. As a traditional pocket passer Jevan Sneed had a disadvantage finding his place in the spread offense of the Texas Longhorns, and the mobile Colt McCoy came out ahead. Colt McCoy made his second start against Troy Smith, and the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. A difficult game for even a four-year starter, Colt McCoy showed a valiant effort in a close contest that saw the Texas Longhorns fall just short.

Colt McCoy would then lead the 2006 Texas Longhorns on a winning streak through the Big 12. Colt McCoy compiled impressive numbers through the air and on the ground. As Colt McCoy developed into a true dual-threat quarterback, he received more comparisons to Vince Young and felt the pressure on his shoulders. Colt McCoy eventually led the Texas Longhorns to a 10-3 record and a victory in the Alamo Bowl, working his way into the hearts of plenty of the Burnt Orange faithful.

Colt McCoy: 2007 Texas Longhorns

The Texas Longhorns receiving corps started the 2007 season banged up and never really got on track. The Texas Longhorns defense also saw its best player in Brian Orakpo slowed with injuries. Colt McCoy did begin to build a great deal of chemistry with game-breaking TE Jermichael Finley and speedy RB Jamaal Charles. Without his trusted weapon in WR Limas Sweed, Colt McCoy still had a tough time getting in rhythm.

Colt McCoy would take the 2007 Texas Longhorns football team to another 10-3 record and produced a win in the Holiday Bowl. Colt McCoy was forced to play through some injuries, and the young quarterback did struggle at times against elite opponents like the Oklahoma Sooners. The season did let Colt McCoy build a good working relationship with young WRs Quan Cosby and Jordan Shipley.

Colt McCoy: 2008 Texas Longhorns

Colt McCoy began the 2008 college football season with a Texas Longhorns team built for him. Fans with Texas Longhorns tickets had great hopes for the team as they entered the season ranked No. 10 in the nation. The Texas Longhorns were not expected to be BCS Championship contenders because the losses of Limas Sweed, Jamaal Charles, Jermichael Finley, and Frank Okam. However, the superb play of Colt McCoy on offense and Brian Orakpo on defense pushed the 2008 Texas Longhorns to the upper echelons of the college football world.

As of mid-October 2008, the Texas Longhorns are ranked No. 1, and Colt McCoy is a huge factor in this ranking. Building a good relationship with Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby has made the spread offense of the Texas Longhorns almost unstoppable. Fans with Texas Longhorns tickets cheered on Colt McCoy and company as they defeated the previously No. 1-ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Rivalry. The Texas Longhorns cannot rest though as several more ranked teams await them in the Big 12.

Colt McCoy: Heisman Watch

As the Texas Longhorns are achieving the ultimate team prize, Colt McCoy is well on his way to winning the best individual award in football. With players like the USC Trojans Matt Sanchez and the Oklahoma Sooners Sam Bradford having both taken hard losses and Florida Gators QB Tim Tebow also having a slumping year, Colt McCoy has jumped to the top of the Heisman watch list. With 17 passing touchdowns to only three interceptions, fans with Texas Longhorns tickets may finally see the Heisman Trophy come to Austin.