Con"VINCE"d he is ready

Vince Young declared himself eligible for the 2006 draft Sunday, at the top of his game and near the top of most NFL draft boards. His decision shed a small cloud of doubt in his hometown Texans pending decision with the top overall pick in the draft, but Houston will still likely take Reggie Bush. Without Young behind center, Texas is no longer a clear favorite next season and the race for the college football championship is wide open. "I thank God for the opportunity to be in this position," the Heisman runner up and Rose Bowl Offensive-Player-of-the-Game stated. "Hard work has paid off a whole lot."

Young broke an impressive streak of University of Texas players who have bypassed the instant riches of the NFL to remain a Longhorn for their senior seasons. Young was a freshman during Ricky Williams run to the Heisman his senior season. Last year, running back Cedric Benson finished his senior season as Young's backfield mate. Offensive tackles Leonard Davis and Mike Williams stayed. So did cornerback Quentin Jammer and linebacker Derrick Johnson, whom many suspected might be selected by the Lions last year. And one of Young's favorite targets from early in his career, Detroit Lions' wide receiver Roy Williams, also stayed in Austin top play out his final season of eligibility.

The Lions, with a number of other UT players besides Williams including All Pro defensive tackle Shaun Rogers and defensive end Cory Redding, would have been fortunate to add another Longhorn to their roster. After nearly single-handedly leading UT to the National Championship, racking up more than 6,000 passing yards, and more than 3,100 rushing yards during his brief career, Young has cemented his name as the greated quarterback in the history of the school. The man's who legend he surpasses was a gritty quarterback who three for a then school record 3,145 career yards from 1944-47. He was also the Lions last great quarterback - Bobby Layne. For a franchise that has seemed cursed since the hard partying but talented Layne left, perhaps Young would have been the cure.

Players declaring for the NFL Draft on 01/09/06:
Anthony Fasano (TE) Notre Dame
Kai Parham (LB)Virginia
Ernie Sims (LB) Florida State
Ashton Youboly (CB) Ohio State

It has also been reported that South Carolina defensive backs Ko Simpson and Jonathan Joseph will enter the draft.