Selvin Young Named a Doak Walker Candidate

Texas may be trotting out a freshman quarterback (Colt McCoy) for the first time in years, but the team is still extremely solid. The defensive line may be the best in the country, the wide receiving corps may be the deepest in school history and, despite the fact that another UT running back (Ramonce Taylor) had a run-in with the weed over the off-season, the tailback position is well staffed, as well.

Fifth-year senior Selvin Young, who will start at tailback, has been named a candidate for the 2006 Doak Walker award (along with 49 other backs), presented each season to the country's best running back. Young, who coach Mack Brown says has become an excellent and vocal leader on the team with the loss of uber leader Vince Young, has lost 25 pounds since last season's Rose Bowl and seems ready to rebound from a season in which he battled injury to rush for 461 yards. Young will be backed up by sophomore Jamaal Charles, who coach Brown says will see plenty of playing time. The all-purpose back Charles is seen by many as a Longhorn version of Reggie Bush. He averaged 7.4 yards per carry last year, while running for 878 yards.

The Longhorns kick off the 2006 season this Saturday at home against North Texas.

*Image (c) Mack Brown-Texas Football site*