One of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the University of Texas football program has confirmed he’ll visit Rio Rancho Thursday.

Vince Young a quarterback for the Tennessee Titans, will be signing free autographs at Rio Rancho Stadium and the fieldhouse, plus speaking to youngsters about the game and his charity while helping to promote the first Corbin Hayes Memorial 4-on-4 flag football tournament.

Dan Foley, a flag football tournament organizer, said Young would probably speak to Garrett Hayes, the older brother of Corbin, who tragically drowned in the Rio Grande this month. Foley said Young is expected to meet local football players and the community at 6 p.m. (Update: Original time listed here was 6:30 p.m.)

Vince Young will sign autographs at no charge Thursday evening at RRHS. He's also expected to give some pointers to Cleveland High QB Garrett Hayes.

Young, 26, accepted an invitation from his future sister-in-law, Antoinette Latham, to help get the first Corbin Hayes flag football tournament off to a rousing success. Latham is the mother of former Rams basketball standout Courtney Latham, who’ll play for Cleveland High School in the upcoming season.

Young had an outstanding career at the University of Texas, leading the Longhorns to the national championship in 2005 and prompting coach Mack Brown to declare, “I think he’s one of the greatest players to ever play college football.”

In 2006, Tennessee selected Young as the third overall pick in the draft, and he soon formed a bond with one of the franchise’s all-time greatest players, QB Steve McNair.

In 2006, he set virtually every rookie passing record for the franchise, including passing totals of 2,199 yards and 12 touchdowns. Additionally, he gained 552 yards on the ground, becoming the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era (1966-present) to rush for 500 yards as a rookie. He scored seven rushing touchdowns, also a first for a rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era.

Young was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster.

Did you know*?

• Young has always chosen jersey No. 10 because his mother, Felicia, has a June 10 birthday.

• Young and the VY Foundation hosted an event-filled charity weekend in Houston in 2009. The festivities during the VY Community Unity Weekend included a football camp, a cheerleading camp, a celebrity basketball game, a charity gala and “Community Unity Day” at Butler Stadium.

(* from Titans’ Web page.)