Austin, Texas ? Vince Young is headed to the NFL.
The Texas quarterback, who led the Longhorns to their first national championship in 36 years, announced Sunday he would make himself eligible for the April NFL Draft.
Young maintained during the season that he would like to return for his senior year, but said his Rose Bowl performance put him “over the top.”
“Hard work has paid off a whole lot,” he said.
Young was spectacular in Texas’ 41-38 Rose Bowl victory over top-ranked Southern California on Wednesday, and he would have been a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy had he decided to return.
The versatile quarterback accounted for 467 yards against USC — 200 running and 267 passing — and ran eight yards for the winning touchdown with 19 seconds left.
Young thanked many people, including his family and coach Mack Brown, who was at the American Football Coaches Association Convention and could not attend Sunday’s news conference. He specifically thanked Brown for “helping me become a better man.”
In a statement, Brown said he met with Young and his family Sunday morning and fully supported Young’s decision.
“We love Vince and appreciate all the great things he’s done for the University of Texas on and off the field,” Brown said. “We’ll miss him, but want him to do as well in the NFL as he did in college.”
In his eight seasons at Texas, Brown never before has had a player leave early for the NFL. Young ends his career at Texas with a 30-2 record — the best in school history.
Young said he talked over his decision with his family and said some of his advisers told him to stay at Texas to finish his degree.
Considering the deadline for declaring for the draft is Jan. 15, it was clear his mind already was made up. The ultimate decision was his, Young said.
“It took a lot of praying, listening, understanding and knowing that the day was going to come,” said Felicia Young, who attended her son’s news conference. “Everything is all right. This is great.”
Asked how he might spend some of the millions of dollars he’ll earn as an NFL player, Young said, “It all depends on mama.”
Young is Texas’ all-time leader in total offense (9,167 yards), career touchdowns (81) and career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (37).
