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AUSTIN, Texas -- Big, fast and athletic, John Chiles is the player Texas fans are aching to see in action every week, not just once in a while in mop-up duty.
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The problem is, he's the backup quarterback behind junior Colt McCoy, who is firmly entrenched as the starter with 51 career touchdowns passes, 5,873 yards and a 20-6 record.
After Chiles' playing time was limited as a freshman last season, coach Mack Brown promises to get him more involved this year, whether its passing, running off direct snaps or catching the ball.
He's not a threat to take over for McCoy. It's just that Brown says Chiles is too good not to be on the field. And McCoy says he loves the idea of adding a new weapon to the offense.
"John and Colt are two of our best players," Brown said this week as Texas opened training camp for its Aug. 30 home opener against Florida Atlantic. "We are committed to trying to get Colt and John on the field at the same time."
That means a busy August for Chiles, who will also continue to work as the No. 2 quarterback. Brown stressed that Chiles will not give up his backup QB duties.
"I told John when he reported Sunday, 'We're going to see if you're in shape or not,"' offensive coordinator Greg Davis said. "He's getting a bunch of reps at several different places."
Davis has a history of finding ways to get multiple uses out of his most talented players, going back to his days as a Georgia assistant when he helped develop Hines Ward as the do-it-all quarterback for the Bulldogs.
Brown and Davis say they're still developing a package of offensive plays to use Chiles in multiple ways. They didn't work on it in the spring to allow Chiles more time developing into a solid backup QB.
Chiles teased Texas fans with brief glimpses of what he can do in 2007.
He played in seven games but his time and snaps were extremely limited. Still, he made the most of it when given a chance.
Chiles ran for 77 yards and led two scoring drives against Rice. He scored a touchdown in a win over Iowa State and ran for a TD in the Holiday Bowl against Arizona State. He completed only one of nine pass attempts for 17 yards.
His biggest play came in his only carry in a tough win over Nebraska.