Who is the #1 QB in the Draft Now?

After his incredible Rose Bowl record 467 total yards (267 passing, 200 rushing) and three touchdown performance, including the game winner, in the Rose Bowl Vince Young has made a case for himself being the first quarterback taken in the 2006 draft. In what was labeled as the biggest college football game ever, it was Young outshining the flash of two USC Heisman trophy winners and putting his team on his back in one of the most memorable performances in NCAA football history.

The biggest play on the biggest stage came with 19 seconds left. Facing a 4th-and-5 from the 8, Young dropped back to pass and saw all his receivers covered. Young then scrambled untouched into the corner of the end zone and the Longhorns were #2 no more. For good measure, Young then ran up the middle for a two-point conversion putting Texas up by three with little time left. Texas shocked the #1 Trojans 41-38. “Do whatever it takes,” Young said. That is exactly what he did and then some ending USC’s 34-game winning streak and ending their dreams of an unprecedented third-straight National Championship.

Now the question is - will Vince Young return to Texas or enter the NFL draft? All Young needed to do was look across the sideline at USC quarterback Matt Leinart. Leinart, the sure fire #1 overall pick had he come out last year, returned for his senior senior to win another National Championship and possibly another Heisman. Neither happened. Teammate Reggie Bush walked away with the Heisman, jumped Leinart on most draft boards, and appears to be heading to the Texans with the top overall pick. Now Leinart might not even be the first quarterback taken.

Staying at Texas another year doesn't assure Young will win a Heisman or another National Championship. It also doesn't make Young a lock to be the top quarterback taken in the 2007 draft. Notre Dame's Brady Quinn is well liked by many NFL general managers and looks to go high as well. Staying in school means more scouts will dig even further for Young's flaws, much like they now are saying that Leinart doesn't have a "big" arm. The risk of injury alone should be enough to send Young into this years’ draft, where he is a likely top five pick.

Young put himself on the map with his MVP performance against Michigan in the 2004 Rose Bowl. He cemented himself as one of the greatest college quarterbacks ever with his repeat performance against the two time defending national champions. Young appeared a man among boys going against the Trojan defense and his star shined brighter than that of Leinart or Bush.

So which quarterback will go number one now? Not even the New Orleans Saints have figured that one out. Talking about that Saints, once again if Hanson misses that last second field goal in San Antonio it would be the Lions pondering that question – how fun would that have made the draft?