This is the first in our Longhorn player profile series, leading up to the season-opening game on Sept. 1.

The enduring images from Colt McCoy's first season as the starting quarterback of the Texas Longhorns are a study in contrasts. On one hand, there was the sight of him winging a school-record six touchdowns in a single game against Baylor and battling the snow and wind to put the Longhorns in position for a come-from-behind victory at Nebraska.

On the other hand, there was the image of McCoy wincing in pain on the sidelines after an injury to his neck and shoulder knocked him from the game, and the even scarier scene of him leaving Memorial Stadium on a stretcher after a vicious hit against Texas A&M.

But perhaps contrast was a 2006 theme for McCoy, who started the season as the unproven successor to Vince Young, and ended it as the Sporting News' National Freshman of the Year.

The scenario 12 months later, however, is completely different. He's bulked up physically and gained confidence. So much so, that Texas Coach Mack Brown has no problem announcing, "This is Colt's team."

Much was made of McCoy's boyish looks and small-town background, having went to high school in Tuscola, a town of less than 1,000 people just south of Abilene. But he hasn't flinched in the college spotlight, first beating out Jevan Snead for the starting quarterback spot, then having one of the finest freshman seasons in Texas history. His 29 touchdown passes tied the NCAA single-season record for a freshman, and he became the first freshman quarterback in UT history to win 10 games. He's excelled in the classroom as well, becoming a first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection and a two-time member of UT's Athletics Director's Honor Roll.

After such early success, some young players suffer a sophomore slump, but Brown said he sees no sign of that from McCoy.

"He's much more into it right now than he was last year," Brown said. "He's much more confident, and he's a better leader on the team. I can't wait for people to see him play; he's really accurate, and he's doing a great job leading this team."

Keeping McCoy healthy will be critical to the Longhorns' success this season, because none of his backups have ever taken a snap in college. Redshirt freshman Sherrod Harris went down with a sprained knee during pre-season practice, although he may be back by the season opener, and freshmen John Chiles and G.J. Kinne are in line in case McCoy gets hurt.

McCoy, who will turn 21 a few days after the Longhorns' season opener, said going through last year's highs and lows helped prepare him for the expectations put on this year's team.

"Everybody wants high expectations, because that's what brings out the best in you," McCoy said. "When there is pressure and competition, this team thrives."

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COLT McCOY SAYS:
I can’t live without: Food and friends
Favorite movie: Gladiator
Favorite actor: Denzel Washington
My sports hero: Troy Aikman
Nobody knows how much I like to: Hunt and fish
Favorite TV show: SportsCenter, Seinfeld
After my football career is over, I hope to: Have a great job and a happy family
Favorite music group: AC/DC
My dream as a college football player is to: Lead team to a national championship
The biggest influence on my football career is: My father
I came to Texas because: The tradition and the chance to compete for a national championship every year

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Photo of Colt McCoy reprinted under fair use guidelines from Scout.com. "Colt McCoy Says" info and quotes from the UT Team Media Guide and press releases.