While Colt McCoy has only been in the NFL for four seasons, he knows a thing or two about winning.

As a star at the University of Texas, McCoy went 45-8 as a four-year starter, setting the NCAA record for most career wins by a college starting quarterback.

A third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2010, McCoy started 21 games his first two seasons in the NFL, and last year was the backup to Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco, which advanced to the NFC Championship game for a third-straight year.

When he became a free agent after last season, McCoy said he had a few teams on his radar, but Washington – with first-year head coach Jay Gruden – intrigued him the most.

He signed with the team April 3.

"I played against Jay a couple of years when he was in Cincinnati and I was in Cleveland," McCoy said of Gruden, who served as the Bengals' offensive coordinator the past three seasons. "I watched Andy Dalton and their offense a lot, and was impressed. I connected with Jay when I came here, and he really made me feel welcome."

McCoy likely enters his first training camp with the Redskins next week as the team's No. 3 quarterback, behind starter Robert Griffin III and backup Kirk Cousins – both of whom are entering their third years in the league.

McCoy said he's embraced the mentor role for both Griffin III and Cousins, but will be ready to go if and when his number is called – particularly in preseason play, when he should get some quality playing time.

"I think I can help, but I am here to compete – I'm always competing," said McCoy, who has thrown for 21 touchdowns in four NFL seasons. "Being in the position I was last year, I felt like I helped Colin get better and helped push him. I think I can help (Griffin III and Cousins) like I did with Colin last year."

Redskins general manager Bruce Allen said that exact attitude is the reason why his staff felt McCoy was a perfect fit in Washington.

"He's here to compete, as well, and we liked him coming out of school," Allen said recently in an interview with ESPN 980. "He also has some pretty good leadership skills, and he's been working hard here. We've kept three quarterbacks every year since I've been here, and if he's in our top 53 players, he'll be here all year."

McCoy said he was immediately embraced by the Redskins' organization, and is looking forward to seeing what its potentially-explosive offense can do in 2014 and beyond.

"I just wanted to go to a place where they wanted me," he said. "I felt that when I came, with with Jay, Bruce and (offensive coordinator) Sean (McVay). I ended up not visiting anywhere else."

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