McNown became the Bruins' starting quarterback in only an amazing four games into his freshman season.  He started the season much further down on the depth chart, but won the spot from Junior Ryan Fien by outplaying Fien and because of Fien's injuries.  McNown burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 1995.  He was only the second UCLA true freshman to start at quarterback against USC (Tom Ramsey was the other in 1979), McNown completed 122 of 245 passes (49.8%) for 1,698 yards and seven scores on the year.  He also ranked second on the squad with 311 yards rushing, the most by a Bruin quarterback since Rick Bashore (317) in 1977.  His five rushing TDs tied for second in that category.  His 2,009 yards total offense ranked 12th on the UCLA season list (first among true freshmen) while his 122 completions ranked 16th (also first among true freshmen).  Under his leadership, UCLA went 7-5 and played in the Aloha Bowl.

Cade McNown led the whole NATION in passing efficiency for practically the entire season.  At the end of the year, he still leads the nation. Before the season started, Cade spoke of the team's goal to score 30 points a game on AVERAGE.  I'll never forget the L.A. reporter who seemed to scoff at the lofty goal.  Think again buddy.  Cade spent almost all summer in the weight room.  He improved almost every phase of his game, including reading defenses, pocket presence and throwing accuracy.  His leadership skills as well as mental and physical toughness were really evident this year.  After an 0-2 start, McNown led the Bruins to a rout over a ranked Texas team and turned the Bruins' season around.  The Bruins' went on to win all their remaining games of the season, and are currently holding a streak of 9 straight wins.  UCLA went from an unranked team, to a ranking of 5th in the nation. Way to go Bruins!  1997 was truly "The Year of Cade."  Cade was drafted on April 17, 1999 by the Chicago Bears with the #12 overall pick.  The Bears completed a trade with the Redskins to give up their #7 position in the draft. The Redskins (#5 pick) had gotten the #12 pick from an earlier trade with the New Orleans Saints.  McNown, along with Akili Smith, Daunte Culpepper, and Donovan McNabb,appeared on the cover of ESPN Magazine in the issue highlighting the draft. He was selected by the Chicago Bears with the twelfth overall pick in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft, following a draft pick trade with the Washington Redskins. He was the highest-drafted Bears quarterback since Jim McMahon.