With five words, Texas coach Mack Brown put the pressure of Texas University football squarely on one man’s shoulders.

“This,” Brown said, “is Vince Young’s team.”

It’s not customary in college football, but Brown seems comfortable banking on his junior quarterback.

“It makes me feel a little funny,” Young said Thursday at Big 12 Media Days. “I’ve got big senior guys next to me. They’re the leaders.”

Young orchestrated extraordinary comebacks against Oklahoma State and Kansas on consecutive Saturdays last season. Then he rushed for 192 spectacular yards in a comeback victory in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. He’s flashy, as fast a quarterback as there is, and he complements his running with a passing arm that gets better and better.

Texas quarterback Vince Young, right, jokes with teammate Michael Huff at the 2005 Big 12 Conference Football Media Days. UT players and coaches met with reporters Thursday in Houston.

To some, he is half-man, half-amazing.

“He’s what you see,” Brown said, “a great young man and a tremendous competitor, and we’re sure looking forward to seeing that again in the future.”

Young won’t do it without outside pressure. Texas was picked to win the Big 12 South — and, probably, the entire Big 12 — in a preseason ballot. Young is being talked about as a Heisman Trophy candidate. Without running back Cedric Benson, now with the Chicago Bears, the Longhorns’ offensive capabilities mostly will be up to Young.

And on top of that, Brown is now declaring that UT football — the pride of the Lone Star State and annual national-championship contender — will go as Vince Young goes.

Yet Young doesn’t seem to mind that burden at all.

“It doesn’t put any more pressure on me,” Young said. “As the quarterback, that’s my role.”

¢ Baylor’s best: The Baylor players on hand said their best athlete might be junior Daniel Sepulveda, the team’s punter.

Before you laugh, consider Sepulveda’s resume: He went to Waco as a 6-foot-3, 225-pound walk-on linebacker, raised his hand when coach Guy Morriss asked if anyone could punt (he did in junior high), then won the Ray Guy Award as college football’s top punter last season, averaging 46.0 yards per boot.

• Hear Bill: Big 12 football media day
• Hear Mark, players: Big 12 football media day
• Arrowhead doesn’t thrill OU (07-21-05)
• Instant-replay rules outlined (07-21-05)
• Smith’s role still murky (07-21-05)
• sanctions hot topic (07-20-05)
• Coaches: MU death tragic (07-20-05)
• Randle still KU student (07-20-05)

“He ran a 4.4 testing in the 40-yard dash,” linebacker Colin Allred said. “He could play linebacker, he could play safety. He won’t talk about it, but it’s true: He’s a great athlete.”

¢ The new guy: The only new Big 12 head coach is Mike Gundy, who took over Oklahoma State after Les Miles departed for Louisiana State.

Gundy, a former Cowboy quarterback, worked as offensive coordinator under Miles and now inherits what he calls his dream job.

“We learn on the run, and every day has been a good day for me,” Gundy said. “We have had a couple of situations in the last six months that are tough, but I am excited and look forward to coming to work every day.”

¢ Quote of the day: Kansas State offensive lineman Jeromey Clary, on quarterback Dylan Meier’s leadership qualities: “He’s got that little hippie mentality: peace, love and happiness.”