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Garrett Gilbert is the Texas quarterback now, and for a sophomore with no starts in his career, he also find himself filling the role of grizzled veteran for the Longhorns.
With No. 2 quarterback Sherrod Harris' decision to leave the team on the eve of training camp, Gilbert and the Longhorns reported for the 2010 season Saturday with a serious lack of experience and depth at the position where Colt McCoy spent the past four seasons winning 45 games.
Gilbert is best known for taking over for McCoy early in last season's national championship game when McCoy got hurt early in Texas' 37-21 loss to Alabama.
Harris, who would have been a fifth-year senior, has already earned his degree and left the team Friday. That leaves true freshmen Case McCoy, Colt's younger brother, and Connor Wood battling for the No. 2 spot with Gilbert acting as their tutor.
Both freshmen were on campus in time for spring practice, but neither was expected to have to be ready to play on a moment's notice this season.
''We probably had two freshman quarterbacks who were a little anxious when they went to sleep last night because their lives have changed,'' coach Mack Brown said. ''They've got to come to in and start competing.''
The Longhorns are certainly comfortable with their new starter.
Gilbert was a high school All-American and one of the top recruits in the country at nearby Lake Travis High School. He played sparingly as a true freshman last season but was pressed into pressure-packed duty against Alabama when McCoy was injured on Texas' first drive.
''That game was pretty much a blur,'' Gilbert said.
After a shaky first half, Gilbert threw two touchdown passes to rally Texas within 24-21 in the fourth quarter before Alabama pulled away late. The experience forced Gilbert to grow up fast in the huddle on the field. He says he's now ready to take over the position from McCoy, who set most Texas passing records as a four-year starter.
''I can't wait. I've got some butterflies but I'm ready to get going,'' Gilbert said.
One early piece of advice from Gilbert to the freshmen: Always know where your helmet is. Gilbert had set his on the bench in the game against Alabama and had to scramble to find it when McCoy got hurt.
''Don't wear a baseball cap on the sideline,'' Gilbert said.
The Longhorns have won at least 10 games every season since 2001 and went 25-2 over the last two, with a Big 12 title in 2009. Texas senior defensive end Sam Acho, the team's returning sacks leader, said the expectations for 2010 are the same.
''We are Texas,'' Acho said, ''We always expect to be the best.''
The Longhorns open training camp with several question marks.
Three multiyear starters must be replaced on the offensive line at the same time Brown is trying to rekindle a commitment to a tougher running game. Last season's leading receiver, Jordan Shipley, is now in the NFL, leaving a deep talent pool at the position searching for a leader.
On defense, the secondary is considered a strength but there is concern about a lack of depth on the line.
Texas opens the season Sept. 5 at Rice.
''We have a chance this year, with all the questions marks, we still have a chance to win all the games if we do a great job coaching,'' Brown said.
