Football: Ex-Ryan QB Young may consider move to UNT

Former Ryan quarterback Scotty Young is considering finishing his college career at North Texas, his father said Monday afternoon.

The 2009 Gatorade and Associated Press Player of the Year in Texas spent two seasons at Texas Tech. Young decided to transfer after last season when he was buried on the depth chart behind starter Seth Doege and backup Jacob Karam, who transferred to Memphis following the season.

"It's something he is considering," Jeff Young said of transferring to UNT. "I think it would be an attractive option for him. I would like for him to think about it."

Jeff Young said that Texas Tech has indicated that it would release his son, but that Scotty Young has yet to receive the official release from the school.

Scotty Young was unavailable for comment.

Once Young receives his release, he will be able to speak with coaches from other schools to determine his options. Jeff Young said that his son would consider multiple schools, not just UNT.

Young spent the 2010 season as a redshirt at Tech and was a member of the scout team last season. He would have to sit out a year if he transfers to another Football Bowl Subdivision school and would then have two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2013.

Jeff Young said he expects his son to have his release in hand sometime in the next few days.

"He is going to finish this semester in Lubbock," Jeff Young said. "Then he is going to come home and spend some time talking about what he wants to do."

Scotty Young was a top pitcher in high school, but will continue his career as a quarterback.

"He is not done playing football yet," Jeff Young said.

The question is, once Young receives his release, what programs will be interested in signing him - and if UNT is among them.

Derek Thompson earned the starting quarterback job at UNT in spring practice nearly a year ago and went on to throw for 1,759 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore last season.

Thompson will be a senior in 2013. Young would be a junior coming off a season on the sidelines that year and would have one year of eligibility after Thompson completes his career.

Backup Andrew McNulty played as a true freshman last season, while third-team quarterback Brent Osborn will be a junior next season.

UNT did not sign a quarterback in its 2012 recruiting class last week.

"We made one offer to a quarterback and looked at some," UNT head coach Dan McCarney said on national signing day. "It was not a big priority. I wasn't going to take a guy just to take a guy. It will be a priority next year. I'm sure we will sign a real good quarterback in the class of 2013."

If UNT were to sign Young, he would be among the highest-rated players to join the team in the last several years.

Rivals.com ranked Young No. 10 among pro-style quarterbacks in the class of 2010 and No. 228 among all players nationally. He threw for 4,467 yards and 64 touchdowns as a senior.

Young committed to Texas Tech during the tenure of former head coach Mike Leach, who was fired before the Red Raiders faced Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl after the 2009 season.

Young signed with Tech despite the coaching change and spent two years playing under current head coach Tommy Tuberville.

UNT is entering its second season under McCarney, who has already landed two transfers from major conference programs since arriving at the school after the 2010 season.

After McCarney took over the program, defensive back Marcus Trice and offensive lineman Cam Feldt both transferred to UNT, sat out last season and are expected to be major contributors this fall. Trice transferred from Oklahoma, while Feldt transferred from Arkansas.

Jeff Young said his son could explore the possibility of becoming the next player in that line of transfers.

"I hope that we will hear something [Monday]," Jeff Young said. "It is my understanding that he can't do anything until he has that release in hand."

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com .