Everyone down in Austin realizes that the only way Texas can return to the top of the Big 12 Conference standings in 2012 is if it gets solid play from the quarterback position.

When Garrett Gilbert was unable to provide stability at the position early last season, his subpar efforts forced freshmen Case McCoy and David Ash into action. And while the pair had their moments, they often looked overwhelmed, especially in the Red River Shootout game against Oklahoma.

Head coach Mack Brown and his offensive staff knew that they needed to address the skill level and depth of the quarterback position, so pro-style Arizona signal-caller Connor Brewer was brought in this past recruiting cycle. And while the staff would prefer to redshirt him this season, his services could be needed if Ash and McCoy don't take steps in their development and complement what is expected to be a fierce defense put together by coordinator Manny Diaz.

But what about 2013, when Whitewright High School (Whitewright, TX) dual-threat star Tyrone Swoopes arrives in Austin? The 6-4, 220-pounder is regarded as the top signal-caller in the state of Texas and one of the best in the nation. And it's easy to see why Longhorn fans envision the second-coming of Vince Young.

Both are incredibly gifted athletes with good size and speed ratios. And, specifically, both are dangerous running the zone read.

Looking back on Young's career in Austin, Brown and former offensive coordinator Greg Davis developed their offense around Young's strengths. While Longhorn fans soured on Davis in his latter years, he was smart enough to devise game plans around his best players, whether it was Young, Major Applewhite, Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, etc. That's why the zone-read system was brought into play when Young was on campus, because it allowed him to utilize his rare athletic ability.

Check out some highlights of Young below from when he was a prep star.

Will Longhorns offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin adapt his offense to Swoopes when he arrives on campus so he could have a chance to have similar success?

Brown brought Harsin in from Boise State so he could instill more of a pro-style scheme that focused on a downhill, power rushing attack. The lack of a strong run game the couple of years before Harsin's arrival was one of the reasons why Davis lost his job and why Texas struggled offensively. We have to wait until the QB situation shakes itself out this season between Ash and McCoy and whether Brewer sees any action, but as we all know it's up to the coaching staff to put its best players in position to be successful. So if Swoopes is to have any chance at success with the 'Horns, designing run packages to utilize his strengths will be necessary for his and the team's success.

Because Harsin showed at Boise and in his first season at Texas that he always has a bag of tricks up his sleeve in regards to misdirection and unique plays, expect aspects of the zone read in the Longhorns offense even if it's not as prevalent as when Young was in town.

As you will see below, Swoopes can bring instant athleticism to the quarterback position in Austin.

Highlights of Swoopes are provided by the YouTube channel of 247SportsStudio.

Longhorn fans, though tentative to get excited about Ash and McCoy, certainly have reason to be excited about the arrival of Swoopes in 2013.

Email dave.miller@nationalfootballpost.com or follow me on Twitter at Miller_Dave