Terrelle Pryor Isn't the Next Vince Young, He's the Next Terrelle Pryor

The comparisons were inevitable, but physical attributes and sick, almost freakish athletic ability aside, I believe that Terrelle Pryor and Vince Young could both go down as two of the best quarterbacks college football has ever seen.

Of course, Young is already in that club. Pryor's reservation is pending.

Young's 2005 season was statistically outstanding, and capping it off by nearly single-handedly beating USC to win the BCS Championship turned him into a college football legend.

While Pryor is not a legend as of yet, he could very well be on his way to achieving such status.

If you disagree, or aren't sure one way or the other, perhaps comparing the two will help with your conundrum.

Young started 25 games for Texas in his second and third years in the program as a redshirt sophomore and junior in 2004-05.

Pryor to date has made 19 career starts at Ohio State—nine as a true freshman in 2008, and 10 so far in this, his sophomore season.

Texas went an amazing 24-1 with Young at quarterback, including the 13-0 title season of 2005. Pryor is 16-3 as a starter for the Buckeyes.

I get the feeling that not everyone believes that Pryor's stats measure up to Young's. I'm not sure if it's just bias against Pryor and Ohio State, or if they are just forming their opinion without the facts.

Fact finding can be a time-consuming, and sometimes bothersome chore, so allow me to do the work and make it simple for you.

Vince Young

Year      Comp/Att/%         Pass Yards/TD/INT  Rating  Rush Yards/TDs
====     ============        =================  ======  ===============
2004     148/250/59.2           1,849/12/11     128.4       1079/14
2005     212/325/65.2           3,036/26/10     163.9       1050/12

Terrelle Pryor

Year      Comp/Att/%         Pass Yards/TD/INT  Rating  Rush Yards/TDs
====     ============        =================  ======  ===============
2008     100/165/60.6           1,311/12/4      146.5        631/6
2009     121/224/54.0           1,668/15/9      130.6        604/7

Obviously, you can see Young rushed and passed for more yards, but their QB ratings are similar when compared, and Pryor has a better touchdown to interception ratio than Young (2.07/1 to 1.81/1).

Pryor still has three games left this season too, so he will close those gaps heading into year three.

I'm not saying that right now Pryor is as good as Young was—he's not, and it's not even close at the moment.

I am saying given the fact that Young had an extra year in the program at Texas to learn the system, and settle into college life without the pressure of being the guy before taking over has helped him immensely.

The hype and expectations surrounding Pryor did not afford him that same luxury.

Three games into 2008, Boeckman was struggling, the O-line stunk, and the fans wanted Pryor, so he was shoved into the deep end to sink or swim. Overall, he's been able to tread water, but now the time is rapidly approaching for him to prove that he can swim.

Next year for Pryor could, and hopefully will, look a lot like Young's 2005 campaign—BCS title preferably included.

Maybe he even does something Young didn't do in 2005, like win the Heisman.

Stats can only take you so far, though. I don't care if Pryor ever puts up huge numbers like Young did in his third year.

If he can lead the Buckeyes to a BCS title in 2010 or 2011 (as I believe he can and will), he won't be the next Vince Young. He will be Terrelle Pryor—quarterback; leader; champion.

His legacy at Ohio State will forever be secure, and his career as a Buckeye—absolutely legendary.

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