Mar. 15, 2006 - Colt McCoy No. 1 QB heading into Texas spring practice

AUSTIN (AP) - Texas redshirt freshman Colt McCoy is the No. 1 quarterback heading into spring practice, but freshman Jevan Snead will have a chance to compete for the job before the 2006 season opener, coach Mack Brown said Thursday.

The Longhorns return most of their starters from last season's national championship team but not quarterback Vince Young, who left school after his junior season to enter the NFL draft. Spring drills start Monday.

Naming McCoy the No. 1 quarterback is no surprise. He signed with Texas in 2005 and redshirted last season, running the scout team and taking some practice snaps with the second team as Texas went 13-0 and beat Southern Cal 41-38 in the Rose Bowl.

Snead, one of the Longhorns' top recruits this year, graduated from Stephenville High School in December and enrolled at Texas in January in order to practice this spring. He traveled with the Longhorns to the White House earlier this month to meet President Bush.

They are the only two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster.

"It would be unfair to throw Jevan out there immediately because he's only been in school a month. We do want him to be able to relax," Brown said. "Jevan's never taken a snap here. Colt's been here six months."

Texas closes practice to the media and fans until spring drills conclude with a scrimmage April 1. The Longhorns open the 2006 season at home Sept. 2 against North Texas.

"We'll have the inexperience at quarterback, but we think the talent is there," Brown said.

Texas is riding a 20-game winning streak and likely would have been the consensus preseason No. 1 had Young stayed for another season. Instead, Texas must groom its two young quarterbacks to be ready to play earlier than expected.

Young's departure left a huge hole in the offense. He was 30-2 as a starter and was the Texas career leader in total offense (9,167 yards), touchdowns (81) and rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (37).

He also had the intangible leadership qualities and knack for making the big play.

Brown said McCoy and Snead must learn how to manage a game before worrying about how to win one.

"Don't you think you'll be the guy to just walk out there and run down the field and kill everybody," Brown said. "That's not the way it happens. Play within the system. Be smart."