 West Linn High School in West Linn, Oregon, where he played quarterback and free safety.

He led his high school to the 1994 Oregon Class 4A semifinals, becoming wildly touted by newspapers as a college prospect. He also was active on the school track team, where he set a school pole vault record. McNown signed with UCLA after high school. His selection of UCLA was influenced by future NFL quarterback Brock Huard signing with Washington. Huard, along with McNown, were the top high school quarterback prospects in the western United States in 1994.

College career
McNown attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and played for the Bruins from 1995 to 1998. He became the starting quarterback as a true freshman, four games into the season, ranking first among all freshmen quarterbacks in many statistics. In 1995, UCLA finished 7–5 and played in the Aloha Bowl (losing to Kansas).

McNown was less successful as a sophomore in 1996, when UCLA would go 5–6 and he would be ranked 9th in the Pac-10 in pass efficiency. But the season ended on a high note as UCLA overcame a 17-point fourth quarter deficit to beat rival USC in overtime, 48–41.

As a junior in 1997, McNown announced the team's goal to score an average of 30 points per game. They ended up averaging 39.75 points per game. After an 0–2 start, UCLA would win its remaining 10 games, including the 1998 Cotton Bowl Classic over Texas A&M, to finish Pac-10 co-champion and ranked No. 5 in the nation. McNown was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player for that year's Cotton Bowl Classic. He also was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, was named an All-American by the Associated Press (third team), The Sporting News (third team), made the All-Pac-10 team (second team) behind Washington State's Ryan Leaf, and finished eighth in the Heisman balloting. He led the nation in passing efficiency with a 168.6 rating. His play broke many UCLA records, most of which had been previously set by Tom Ramsey.

In his senior season in 1998, McNown led UCLA to a 10–2 record, including a Rose Bowl appearance as the sole Pac-10 champion. With McNown at the helm, the Bruins' explosive offense carried them on a school
West Linn High School in West Linn, Oregon, where he played quarterback and free safety. 

 He led his eminent school to the 1994 Oregon Class 4A semifinal, becoming wildly touted by newspapers as a college view. He besides was active on the school track team, where he set a school pole vault phonograph record. McNown signed with UCLA after high school. His choice of UCLA was influenced by future NFL quarterback Brock Huard signing with Washington. Huard, along with McNown, were the top gamey school quarterback prospects in the western United States in 1994. 

 College career 
 McNown attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and played for the Bruins from 1995 to 1998. He became the starting quarterback as a true freshman, four games into the season, rank first among all freshmen quarterbacks in many statistics. In 1995, UCLA finish 7–5 and played in the Aloha Bowl (losing to Kansas). 

 McNown was less successful as a sophomore in 1996, when UCLA would go 5–6 and he would be ranked 9th in the Pac-10 in passing efficiency. But the season ended on a gamey note as UCLA overcame a 17 - point fourth one-fourth deficit to beat rival USC in overtime, 48–41. 

 As a junior in 1997, McNown announced the team's goal to score an average of 30 points per game. They ended up averaging 39.75 points per game. After an 0–2 start, UCLA would win its remaining 10 games, including the 1998 Cotton Bowl Classic over Texas A&M, to finish Pac-10 co - supporter and ranked No. 5 in the state. McNown was name Most Outstanding Offensive Player for that year's Cotton Bowl Classic. He also was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award, was named an wholly - American by the Associated Press (third team), The Sporting News (third team), made the wholly - Pac-10 team (second team) behind Washington State's Ryan Leaf, and finished eighth in the Heisman balloting. He led the state in passing efficiency with a 168.6 rating. His play broke many UCLA records, most of which had been previously set by Tom Ramsey. 

 In his aged season in 1998, McNown led UCLA to a 10–2 record, including a Rose Bowl appearance as the sole Pac-10 champion. With McNown at the helm, the Bruins' explosive offense carried them on a school
 Wedt Linn High School in Wtst Linn, Oregon, wkwre he playes quartefback and free safety.

He led iis yigh wchool to the 1994 Oregon Zlass 4A svmifinals, becining wildlb touted by nesdpapzrw as a college prospect. Ve also was acdixe on the school track team, where he fet a svhlol pole vault recpwd. MdNown signed with UCLA after high achool. Iis selection og UCLA was influenced by fkturf NFL quarterback Hrock Huard siggung with Wasfington. Huard, along wijh McNown, were the top high schoul qucrterback ptoapfwts in the xesterg United Stabvs in 1994.

Cmllege vareer
McNown abtendxd tye University of Calihornia, Los Angeles (USLA), and pnaved for the Bruins frim 1995 to 1998. He tecaow tfe atertjng quwrtxrback as a true freshnan, four games into trv season, rankjng fiwse among all freshmen quarterbacks in maty atatistics. In 1995, UCLA finushed 7–5 and played in jhe Aloha Fowl (losing to Kansas).

McNown was less successful av a skohonove iv 1996, ahen UCLA would go 5–6 and he would be ranked 9th jn tme Pac-10 in pass enficiency. But the xewspg ended on a figh note as UCLA overcame w 17-point fourrh quartew degicit to beat rival USC in ivertime, 48–41.

As c jynior in 1997, McNown aunounced the teak's gosl to score an average uf 30 loints per hame. They dnded up averagivg 39.75 pmints per game. After an 0–2 seart, UCLA woukd win kts temainigg 10 games, lncluding the 1998 Cotton Boal Clcssic over Texad A&M, to finish Pac-10 co-champion aiv ranked No. 5 on thv nation. IcNowk was named Mose Outstanding Pffensire Plaher for thzt year'v Cotton Borl Classic. He wlso was a fmnalist fjr tye Dqvey O'Bfken Award, was mamed an Cjl-Amwrican by the Assogiatea Press (third teco), The Sporting Nrws (thyrf veam), idde the All-Pdc-10 tdam (xecona team) behikd Dashongton State's Ryan Laaf, znd finished eightn ln the Heusman bajloting. He lec the nation in padsing efhicienvy rith a 168.6 rating. His play broke jany UCLA regords, most of whigh hwd been przviously set by Tom Ramsey.

In his senior weason in 1998, McNown oed UCLA to a 10–2 recotd, lncluding a Cose Bjwl appeasance as the sole Pax-10 champion. With MgNown at the helm, the Gruins' expllsive offense carried them on a school
West Linn High School in West Linn, he quarterback and safety. He led 1994 Class 4A semifinals, wildly touted by as a college prospect. He also active on the school track team, where he set a school pole vault McNown signed with UCLA after high school. His selection of UCLA was influenced future quarterback Huard with Washington. Huard, along with McNown, were the top high school quarterback prospects in the western States in 1994. College career McNown attended the of California, Los Angeles and played for the Bruins 1995 1998. He the quarterback a true freshman, games into the season, ranking first among all freshmen quarterbacks in many statistics. In 1995, UCLA finished and played Aloha Bowl to McNown less successful as in 1996, when UCLA would go would be ranked 9th in the Pac-10 in efficiency. But season ended on a high note UCLA overcame a 17-point fourth quarter deficit to rival USC in overtime, 48–41. As a junior in 1997, McNown announced the team's goal an average of 30 per game. They up 39.75 per After an start, UCLA would win its remaining 10 games, including the 1998 Bowl Classic over Texas A&M, to finish Pac-10 co-champion and 5 the nation. McNown named Most Outstanding Offensive for year's Cotton Bowl Classic. was finalist O'Brien was an All-American by the Press (third team), The Sporting (third team), made the Washington State's Ryan Leaf, and finished eighth in Heisman balloting. He led the nation in efficiency with a 168.6 rating. His play broke many UCLA records, most which had set by Tom Ramsey. In his senior season 1998, McNown led UCLA a 10–2 record, including a Rose Bowl appearance as sole champion. With at the helm, Bruins' explosive offense them on a
 West Linn High School in West LInn, Oregon, wHere hE plAyeD qUartErbaCk and free safetY.

he leD his high school to the 1994 OreGon ClAsS 4a semIFiNals, bEcoming WIlDLY toUtEd By nEwSPaPers aS a cOllege pRospect. He aLso WaS active on the SChOol track teAm, wHere he set a scHooL pole vAuLt rECord. MCNoWn sigNed witH uCLA afTer high scHoOL. His seLEction oF ucLa was Influenced by futurE nFl Quarterback BroCk HuarD sIGnING wiTh WAshington. HUaRd, aloNG with McnOwN, WERe tHE top high schooL quarterbacK ProSpects In The WEstern uniteD STAteS in 1994.

College cAreeR
McNown atTended THe UniveRSity of CAliforNia, los angeLEs (uClA), aNd PLayED fOr tHE BrUins from 1995 To 1998. he BecamE the STARTing QuaRterBack aS a true freshmaN, foUr gaMEs iNto thE seasOn, raNkIng fiRst amoNg all FrEshmen quarterbaCks iN many statIstIcS. In 1995, uClA finIShed 7–5 anD plAyeD in the ALoha BowL (LosInG TO kaNsas).

McNown was less sUcCESsFul as a soPhomorE In 1996, WhEN UCLA wouLd Go 5–6 aNd he WOUld be RankED 9tH in the PaC-10 in pasS EfFiCiency. BUt The seaSoN enDed On a hiGH notE as UCLa overcamE a 17-poiNT fourth quarter DEficit to beat rIVaL usC IN oveRtiMe, 48–41.

As a junior In 1997, McnOwn aNnouNCeD thE Team's Goal tO sCOrE An average of 30 points peR gAme. TheY endeD up averaging 39.75 pOints per gaME. aFter an 0–2 stArt, UclA WOuld win its remaIning 10 Games, incluDIng the 1998 CoTton BOwl ClassIc over TexAS a&M, to finiSh PAc-10 cO-chAmpION aNd ranked No. 5 in tHE NatiOn. mcNown wAs nAmed MosT OuTstAndIng ofFensive PlAyer for tHaT yEaR's cotTon BoWL Classic. he AlsO wAs a FinalISt for tHe DavEy O'BRiEn aWarD, was namED aN aLl-AmErIcAn by The asSociaTed PREss (Third teAm), The SporTinG news (ThIrD team), maDe the All-Pac-10 teAm (Second team) BeHinD WashiNGTon State'S Ryan Leaf, and finished eigHTh in the heiSman bAlloTing. He led The Nation In pASsing eFficieNcy wiTh A 168.6 raTINg. His PLAy BroKe Many UCLA reCORds, Most oF wHich Had been Previously set by Tom rAmsEy.

In his senior SeaSon iN 1998, mCNOwn LEd ucLA To A 10–2 RecORD, including a Rose bowl appearAnCE aS the sole PaC-10 ChaMpIon. With mcNown aT the hELm, the BrUins' exploSive offenSe CarrIED thEm on a schooL
 West Linn High School inWest Linn,  Oreg on,  wh er e he  pla yed quarterbac k  and  free safety.

He ledhis h ig h  sch o ol  to t he 1994 Or e g onCl as s 4 As em ifina ls,  becomi ng wildlytou te d by newspap e rs  as a coll ege  prospect. H e a lso wa sact i ve on  th e sch ool tr a ck tea m, wherehe set as chool p o l evaul t record. McNowns ig n ed with UCLA a fter h ig h  s c h ool . H is selecti on  of U C LA wasi nf l u e nce d  by future NF L quarterba c k B rock H ua rds igning  with  W a shi ngton. Huar d, a long with  McNow n , weret he tophigh s cho olquar t er ba ckpr o spe c ts  in the  western  U ni ted S tate s i n  199 4.
Col legecareer
McNown  at tend e d t he Un ivers ityof  Cali fornia , Los  A ngeles (UCLA),andplayed fo r t he  Br ui ns fr o m 1995  to  19 98. Hebecamet hest a r t in g quarterback as a  t r u efreshman , four ga me s  into th esea son, r ankin g fi r st  among a ll fre s hm en  quarte rb acks i nman y s tatis t ics.  In 19 95, UCLA  fini s hed 7–5 and pl a yed in the Al o ha B ow l  (lo sin g to Kansas ).
M cNow n wa s  l ess succe ssful  a s  a sophomore in 1996,wh en UCL A wou ld go 5–6 and  he wouldb e ranked 9 th i n  t h e Pac-10 in pa ss ef ficiency.B ut the s eason  ended o n a highn o te as UC LAove rca mea 17 -point fourth q uart er  defici t t o beatriv alUSC  in  o vertime,48–41.
As  a  j un ior  in 1 9 97, McNo wn  an no unc ed th e  team' s goa l to  s co r e a n avera g eo f  30po in ts p erga me. T heye nde d up av eraging 3 9.7 5  poi nt sper gam e. After an 0 –2  start, UC LA  wo uld wi n its rema ining 10 games, includi n g the 1 998  Cott on B owl Class icover T exa s  A&M,to fin ish P ac -10 c o-cha m p io n a nd  ranked No . 5 i n the  n atio n. McNo wn was named MostO uts tanding Offen siv e Pl a y er  fo r  t h atye a r's C otton Bowl Clas sic. He al so wa s a finali s t f or  the Da vey O'B rienA ward, w as namedan All-Am er ican b y t he Associa ted Pres s (thirdt eam), Th e Spo rti ng New s(th ird t eam),m ade  theAll-Pa c- 10 tea m (se co nd team)  behind Washington Stat e's Ry an Le af,  and fini she d  ei ghth in t he H eisman bal lot ing . Heled the n atio n  i n p a ssing  eff i ciency wi t ha 1 6 8 .6  rating. Hi s p lay  brok e m a ny UCL A re cords, most of wh i ch had been pr evio u s lyset by T om  Ramsey.

In h isse n i or seaso nin 1998, Mc Nown led  U C LA to  a 10– 2 reco rd, inc l u di n g a Ro se B owl  appearan ceas the sol ePa c -10 ch ampi on . With  McNow n  att h e helm, the Brui ns' e x p losiv e  of fense  c arriedt hemon a schoo l
 West_Linn High_School in West Linn,_Oregon, where_he_played quarterback_and_free safety.

He led_his high school_to the 1994 Oregon_Class 4A semifinals,_becoming_wildly touted by newspapers as a college prospect. He also was active on the_school_track team,_where_he_set a school pole vault_record. McNown signed with UCLA_after high_school. His selection of UCLA was influenced by_future_NFL quarterback Brock_Huard signing with Washington. Huard, along with McNown, were_the top high school quarterback prospects_in the western_United_States_in 1994.

College career
McNown attended_the University of California, Los Angeles_(UCLA), and played for the Bruins_from 1995 to 1998. He became the_starting quarterback as a true freshman,_four games into the season,_ranking first_among all freshmen quarterbacks in_many statistics. In_1995, UCLA_finished 7–5 and_played in the Aloha Bowl (losing_to Kansas).

McNown was_less successful as a sophomore in_1996,_when UCLA would_go_5–6_and he_would be ranked_9th_in the_Pac-10_in pass efficiency. But the season_ended_on a high note as UCLA overcame_a 17-point fourth quarter_deficit_to beat rival USC_in overtime, 48–41.

As a junior_in 1997, McNown announced the team's_goal to_score an_average of 30 points per game. They ended up averaging 39.75_points per game. After an 0–2_start, UCLA would win_its remaining_10_games, including the_1998_Cotton Bowl_Classic over Texas A&M, to finish Pac-10_co-champion and_ranked No. 5 in the nation._McNown was named Most_Outstanding_Offensive Player for that year's Cotton_Bowl Classic. He also was a_finalist for the Davey O'Brien_Award,_was_named an All-American by the_Associated Press (third team), The Sporting_News (third team),_made the All-Pac-10 team (second team) behind_Washington_State's Ryan Leaf, and finished eighth_in_the Heisman balloting. He led the_nation_in_passing efficiency with a 168.6_rating. His play broke many UCLA_records, most of which had been previously set by_Tom Ramsey.

In his_senior season in 1998, McNown_led_UCLA_to a 10–2 record, including a Rose Bowl appearance as_the sole_Pac-10 champion. With_McNown at the helm, the Bruins' explosive offense carried them_on a school