Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young is at the head of the class among 2006 rookies.

And make no mistake, he draws the most attention among quarterbacks because of athletic ability rarely seen in a 6-foot-5, 228-pound athlete.

Young will be one of three rookies in today's Pro Bowl, and the only rookie quarterback.

The NFL's season-ending All-Star Game, which has been sold out all 28 years it's been held at 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium, will start at 1 p.m. It will be televised for the first time on CBS.

Young was named NFL Rookie of the Year after completing 184 of 357 passes for 2,199 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also rushed for 522 yards and averaged 6.7 yards per carry.

"He's a freak out there," said Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne. "He's got all the skills. I've been on the opposite side of some big runs and big throws that he made. He's got a bright future. I hate we have to see him two times a year."

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was impressed by Young in a 43-20 victory over the Titans in the regular-season finale. Young passed for 227 yards and had a 28-yard run in the game.

"He's a very talented player," said Belichick, who will coach the AFC squad today. "We played against him at the end of the season, the last regular-season game, and he can do a lot of things well. He can throw it, he can run it, he's a great leader and a winner."

Young, the Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning and Cincinnati Bengals' Carson Palmer will quarterback the AFC.

The NFC's quarterbacks are the New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees, Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo and St. Louis Rams' Marc Bulger.

"I'm out here with all these talented guys I looked up to," Young said. "It's my first Pro Bowl. I'm excited for my family and my teammates and my coaches."

Manning, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Associated Press NFL MVP, likes what he sees in Young.

"Vince is a great young talent and a guy that really looks to be a consistent quarterback every year, and seems real intent to work hard," said Manning, who led Indianapolis to the Super Bowl title on Sunday. "I'm pulling for him."

Young credits Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow, a Punahou School alum and former Waialua High coach, with his rapid development.

"It was great," said Young, a University of Texas alum. "He is a phenomenal guy. He's a hard worker. He took my skills and with his knowledge nobody stopped us."

Tennessee (8-8) won six of its final seven games.

"The most impressive thing was he did things he did in college," said ESPN NFL analyst Chris Mortensen. "When he had to win a game, he found a way to win."

Mortensen added Young "has got a ways to go" in the passing game, and needs to make steady progress because he likely won't be able to scramble the way he has four years from now.

Young was the only Titan named to the Pro Bowl, and he's replacing San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

"There are a couple guys I think that should have been here, but they're not here so I'm going to represent my team," Young said.

The other rookies in the Pro Bowl are Chicago Bears return specialist Devin Hester and San Diego offensive tackle Marcus McNeill.

Young, the Arizona Cardinals' Matt Leinart and the Denver Broncos' Jay Cutler were rookie quarterbacks who made an impact this season.

"Phenomenal," was how Young described the rookie quarterback class.

The NFC and AFC each have 18 victories in the Pro Bowl (the previous games didn't have the conferences competing against each other). The first Pro Bowl was held in 1951 in Los Angeles.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.