T1B

QB says he'll stay true to Texas

Web Posted: 10/24/2006 08:04 AM CDT

Dan McCarney
Express-News Staff Writer

Like any other dedicated Texas Longhorns fan, John Brantley has watched and admired the swift development of UT quarterback Colt McCoy.
"He's had a really strong season," Brantley said. "He gets better every week."


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Brantley's interest in the redshirt freshman and the Longhorns isn't limited to Saturdays in front of the television.

He also happens to be one of the best high school senior quarterbacks in the country, a polished, pro-style passer who caused a major stir in his home state of Florida when he committed to UT last spring.

At the time, Vince Young had declared for the NFL draft and the Longhorns' quarterback reserves were stocked with unproven freshmen.

Exceeding all expectations, McCoy has since put a hammerlock on the starting job, giving UT's recruiting rivals ample ammunition with which to test Brantley's commitment.

While he can't sign his letter of intent until Feb. 7, Brantley said neither McCoy's ascent nor the persistence of other suitors have done anything to dissuade his plans.

"I've thought about it," Brantley said, "but not in a negative way. I know he's going to be there. I don't really want to play my freshman year, anyway. I want to get used to Austin, get used to the program, and whenever they call my number ..."

Which could be awhile considering McCoy's play.

And the competition at UT doesn't end with him. Talented freshmen Jevan Snead and Sherrod Harris also are on the depth chart, making Brantley's quest for playing time that much tougher.

"It's a hard decision to make," said Randy Rodgers, who scouts Texas high school players for more than 50 I-A schools. "Ultimately, (Brantley) has to decide if he's willing to hang around and wear a ball cap for three years. Or does he go somewhere he can play right away?"

Somewhere, for example, like Oklahoma.

Brantley's father, John Brantley III, said the Sooners, desperate to sign a replacement for dismissed starter Rhett Bomar, lead a pack of schools still in hot pursuit of his son.

Also refusing to quit is Florida, where John III and his brother Scot played in the 1970s. Kerwin Bell, Brantley's coach at Ocala Trinity Catholic High, played quarterback for the Gators and was the Southeastern Conference player of the year in 1984.

But for reasons the elder Brantley declined to discuss, he said his son has no interest in playing for Gators coach Urban Meyer.

The Sooners have been more difficult to rebuff. John III used to sell OU coach Bob Stoops insurance during his stint as a Florida assistant. Stoops also was one of the first to offer John a scholarship when he began turning heads as a freshman.

"I've tried to keep people away from John as much as I can," he said. "But Stoops was a client of mine, so I'll extend him the courtesy."

In contrast to Texas, Brantley would have a virtually uncontested shot at the starting job in Norman — a major reason rumors persist he'll eventually end up in crimson instead of burnt orange.

"He can go out there and start right away," his father said.

But even with the lure of guaranteed playing time, the younger Brantley said you shouldn't believe all you read on Internet message boards.

"There are lots of rumors flying around about me and OU, but none of them are true," said Brantley, who has thrown for 1,789 yards and 32 touchdowns in nine games this season.

"I'm still going to Texas."

Believe the Heupel wrote:Is it just my work filter or did you just post a big ol' block of white space?

Ryan Perriloux seemed pretty firm in his commitment as well. ;)

Vito Corleone wrote:BTW i have no idea what position most of these guys play yet