Colt McCoy praises both Texas QB’s, offers advice amidst position battle
Former Texas quarterback Colt McCoy set numerous school records throughout his four-year collegiate career with the Longhorns.
Needless to say, he knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a productive quarterback under this type of spotlight. He’s also familiar with quarterback competitions. McCoy was amid a position battle himself with four-star recruit Jevan Snead once Vince Young departed to the NFL.
First-year head coach Steve Sarkisian has a tough decision to make when it comes to choosing Sam Ehlinger’s successor. Hudson Card and Casey Thompson were each highly rated prospects out of high school and the competition is close enough that it likely won’t be settled until shortly before the season opener against Louisiana.
When McCoy joined Austin’s The Horn-FM with Horns247’s Jeff Howe, he offered advice to the young signal-callers as they prepare to battle each other throughout fall camp.
“Listen, this is a big job. Lots of eyes on you. I would just lock in and appreciate the fact that I have an opportunity to compete for a job here a UT. Give it all you have and let everything else separate itself.”
Although McCoy wasn’t ready to tab either Card or Thompson as the favorite to win the job, he mentioned that Texas is in great hands with either one of them.
“I think Casey has done a lot of great things. Played well in the bowl game last year. He’s got some tape. That definitely helps. I think Hudson throws the ball great. You come out of [Lake Travis High School] highly recruited. I think we’re gonna be good with either one of those guys. I don’t have any skin in the game here and I’ve only been to one practice.”
Overall, McCoy appears to be confident in Sarkisian’s decision-making and reiterated that it helps the team when you have two talented players battling it out for the starting role.
“I’m just excited that, when there’s a competition at that position and both those guys are very good, it helps the team. Let that play out like it’s supposed to. That’s the way Sarkisian’s doing it. ‘I’m not gonna name somebody right now. I’m gonna naturally let it happen.’ Because it’s gonna separate itself at some point.”
Neither Card or Thompson separated from the other throughout the Orange-White spring game in April. However, there was an interesting nugget that could serve as a potential clue as to why Card may be the favorite to win the job.
Tight ends/special teams coordinator Jeff Banks had his starting quarterbacks be the field goal holder while at Alabama. Tua Tagovaiola held for Joseph Bulovas during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, while Mac Jones held for Will Reichard last season. For Texas, regardless of whether it was the Orange or White team attempting a field goal, Card would rush on the field to be the holder.
Regardless, the battle is far from over and will come down to which quarterback is more consistent throughout fall camp. With how talented Thompson and Card each are, it’s a great problem for Texas to have.
