Young has outgrown the competition at this level. That was apparent from the way he outmaneuvered everybody wearing the USC colors. He ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns and passed for another 267, despite a throwing motion that would give some NFL coaches the shakes. But like Brown, they know all those results in the win column can have a very calming effect.

“What we want in rewards for Vince is what is in his heart, what is best for him, and that will be best for the University of Texas,” Brown said. “Somebody asked me, ’If you win the national championship and Vince leaves, what will you do?’ I said, ’I’ll kiss him.’

“I haven’t yet, though,” the coach added, cracking the room up.

Brown has a history of hanging onto his juniors, but he couldn't keep that string intact. Young grew up in Houston’s hardscrabble Fourth Ward, within a couple of long passes from the stadium where the NFL’s Texans play. He made a name for himself at Madison High, he gets standing ovations when he’s in the seats at Astros or Rockets games, and even more than the adulation, he’s mindful of the opportunities so many of the kids he grew up with have squandered.

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“It was a hard, hard time,” he recalled. “There was a lot of guys in my neighborhood supposed to be in the position I am right now, or even better, but they’re not really doing anything. So it kind of pushes me every time I see them to keep working harder.

“I’m just a real blessed guy,” Young said a moment later, “to be in the position I am right now.”

Heading into the Rose Bowl, that position probably was somewhere among the top 10 draft prospects. Bush figured to be headed to Houston with the No. 1 pick, and Leinart, too, was likely ranked ahead of Young in that very select queue. Now, it’s a different ballgame.

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Asked about that shuffle, the bold-faced national championship that moved to the top of his resume, and the almost-irresistible chance to play in his hometown, Young said one more time, “I haven’t talked to my family.”

That conversation probably was short and sweet.

“He’s 6-foot-6, 235, runs real fast and jumps sideways. It’s not easy for people to tackle him when they’re fresh.

“I thought USC had a lot of depth and did a tremendous job of substituting, but he’ll still wear you down,” Brown said, making the case as succinctly as possible.