The Dawning of a New Era: Ranking the Top 5 UT Quarterbacks Since 2000

The University of Texas moves on this year, from the "Colt McCoy" era that saw two BCS Bowl games, two Heisman trophy nominations, one Big-12 title, and one BCS Championship game.

This year the it's a dawning of a new age as Austin, TX's own Garrett Gilbert takes over as the leader of the University of Texas offense. Colt much like his predecessor, Vince Young, ran the high-powered "Spread" offense. Unlike them, Gilbert will be running a more classic type of offense that UT's old-school fans might remember in the I-formation.

But before we crown Gilbert as the next best QB in UT's long history. Let's take a look back at the last 10-years of QBs that have led the Longhorns.

No.5 Chance Mock (01-04)

The Chance Mock era was one that was more of a transition among quarterbacks. Chance was the back up to Major and Chris during their times at Texas. Then in 03, Chance was given the keys to the offense. That lasted all seven games, as Chance was pulled in favor of a young Red-Shirted freshman named Vince Young.

And the rest as they say is history, as Chance did not see another start after he was replaced by Vince.

No.4 Chis Simms (99-02)

Depending on which UT Alumni, or supporter you ask they may want to forget the Chris Simms era. From his arrival on campus he was looked as the kid to lead Texas back to a National Title. Yet this was not to be the case for Simms.

His lack in being able to come up with clutch plays in big games haunted Simms while playing at Texas. That is not to say that his time there was not a successful one.

As Simms ranks:
3rd on the all-time touchdown list (58)
2nd highest QB rating for a career (138.4)
5th best winning percentage for a career (26-6 .812)

No.3 Major Applewhite (98-01)

Major's moment of UT allure came in the 01' season. As the Horns were playing in the Big-12 Championship against Colorado, Applewhite was on the bench watching Chris Simms turn the ball over four different times.

While on the bench fans at the stadium and at home saw Major try to rally the offense after each turnover. Finally, Simms went down with an injury and Major got his chance. He led the Horns with a gritty comeback that almost ended with a win for them. Sadly, his effort came up short as the Horns lost 39-37.

He currently serves as an Assistant coach on UT and will be a mentor to the young Gilbert this year.

No.2 Colt McCoy (06-09)

You would think that Colt would be number one on this list. I mean he owns every single passing record at UT. Don't believe me?

At the end of every record the name next to the stat says, C.McCoy.

Let's go down some of Colt's achievements while playing in Austin:
Most Total Touchdowns, Career (102)
Most Touchdown Passes, Career (85)
Most Touchdown Passes, Single Season (34)
Most Career wins as a quarterback (45)

However, he does not have the one thing, that Number One has on our list.

No.1 Vince Young (03-05)

Vince Young, or as people around here in Austin know him as, "VY" tops our list as the greatest UT quarterback in the last ten years.

Before Colt, Vince held most of the records. One in particular that he held was most wins as a starter at UT. Because that is all that Vince did when he was the QB at Texas. During his time as a starter Texas went 30-2. An astonishing .938 winning percentage with Two losses in three years as a starter.

But the reason why Vince is Number One on the list is shown in the picture above. He went onto win the National Title. That picture of Vince leaving the USC player is the moment that Texas defeated the heavily favored Trojans.

The Future for Garrett

Will Garrett continue the high level of accomplishments that his predecessors did before him? Can Garrett do what only one (VY) quarterback did in the last 10-years for Texas, in win a National Title? Gilbert embraces three more years to place his name between the greats in UT history.