 "Photo: Stephen Keller/The Daily Texan")
When he’s feeling in an especially joking mood, Texas coach Mack Brown likes to remind his Heisman-candidate quarterback just where he came from — and who found him there.
“It’s every now and then—more like every day,” said fifth-year senior Colt McCoy.
“[Brown] just jokingly [says], ‘Hey, you remember me. I was the one who came to Tuscola and found you in the woods.’”
The fact that McCoy, who was a three-star-rated recruit out of tiny Jim Ned High School in Tuscola, is poised to break the NCAA career wins record for a quarterback in his last game at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday shows just how far the senior has come.
But he’s quick to point out that he hasn’t done it alone. Indeed, the rest of the recruiting class of 2005 was equally unheralded. With just 15 total commitments and no five-star recruits, the class was considered weak by recruiting services when considering Texas standards. Rivals ranked it 20th nationally.
“There’s so much hoopla about how many you sign and what they’re rated. That does not matter to coaches,” Brown said. “I just think it’s all about winning. I think you ought to rate the classes after they finish — that’d be more fun.”
Brown has a point: Five are already in the NFL. Of the remaining 10, two transferred, one graduated, one had a career-ending injury and one left for personal reasons. The five remaining commits who redshirted and didn’t leave school early have done pretty well for themselves. Along with McCoy, center Chris Hall, guard Charlie Tanner and linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy have all carved out nice careers — and were all three-star recruits.
Being seen as a weak class can serve as a motivator.
“Probably since that class didn’t get any credit might have motivated them more. I do know that Colt was not as highly recruited as some other quarterbacks, and he’s been challenged by that the whole time he’s been here,” Brown said. “Maybe that class has been more driven to make sure they get more in the end than in the beginning.”
It’s something that’s also worked for defensive tackle Lamarr Houston, a senior from the 2006 class who was a four-star recruit. He had a bit of a chip on his shoulder when competing with five-stars Sergio Kindle and Eddie Jones.
“I think a lot of us just want to earn respect,” Houston said.
For the 2005 class, it’s been earned. But again, maybe it’s easier to look successful when you’re overlooked at first.
“It may be the kiss of death to be the No. 1 recruiting class in the country,” Brown said.
“You’ve got to be careful with that because that means you’ve got to win all the games.”
Brown may want to avoid checking Rivals.com any time soon. The recruiting Web site has the Longhorns ranked first for the recruiting class of 2010.
Where are they now? Texas’ recruiting class of 2005:
Chris Brown, LB **** Texarkana, (Texas)
Played in six games for 2005 national championship team as true freshman before breaking leg. Transferred to Sam Houston State.
Jamaal Charles, RB **** Port Arthur, Texas (McAllen Memorial)
Fourth on Texas all-time rushing yards list with 3,328. Left school early and was a third-round pick by Kansas City Chiefs in 2008 NFL Draft.
Quan Cosby, WR **** Mart, Texas (Minor league baseball)
Fourth on Texas all-time receiving yards list with 2,598. Signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as undrafted free agent in 2009.
Jermichael Finley, TE **** Diboll, Texas (Diboll)
Caught 76 passes for 947 yards and five touchdowns in two seasons. Left school early wand was third-round pick by Green Bay Packers in 2008 NFL draft. First Longhorn ever to leave school after sophomore season.
Trevor Gerland, K ** Katy, Texas (Cinco Ranch)
Switched to punter and has played in 12 career games with 24 punts.
Chris Hall, OL *** Irving, Texas (Irving)
Started 32 career games and has started at every offensive-line position. One-time second-team All-Big 12 team and four-time UT honor roll member.
Michael Houston, RB *** Denver, Colo. (Montbello)
Rushed three times for 27 yards in 2005 season before transferring to Washington. Left Huskies before seeing the field after being arrested for stealing a taxi.
Aaron Lewis, DE **** Albuquerque, N.M. (La Cueva)
Reserve defensive lineman who left Texas with 41 career tackles and eight sacks.
Colt McCoy, QB *** Tuscola, Texas (Jim Ned)
Has almost completely rewritten Texas record book. Next up? NCAA record for career wins by a quarterback.
Henry Melton, ATH **** Grapevine, Texas (Grapevine)
Started out at running back but converted to defensive end. Biggest season was 2008 with 27 tackles and four sacks. Drafted in the fourth round by Chicago Bears.
Roy Miller, DT **** Killeen, Texas (Shoemaker)
Played in 49 career games with 19 starts with 138 tackles and 10 sacks. Defensive MVP of 2009 Fiesta Bowl. Drafted in third round by Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Roddrick Muckelroy, LB *** Hallsville, Texas (Hallsville)
Has made 26 career starts and leads 2009 team with 63 tackles. Was second-team All Big 12 in 2008.
Ishie Oduegwu, DB **** Denton, Texas (Ryan)
Played in 25 career games with three starts before suffering career-ending shoulder injury in 2007.
Charlie Tanner, OL *** Austin, Texas (Anderson)
Has started 28 career games at guard. Honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2008.
Jerrell Wilkerson *** San Antonio, Texas (Clark)
Left school during redshirt year to work to support his newborn son. Enrolled at University of Incarnate Word for 2009 season but was suspended for academic problems.
Source: Rivals.com
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