Garrett Gilbert
Template:Infobox CollegeFootballPlayer Garrett Gilbert (born July 1991) is an American football quarterback. He currently attends the University of Texas at Austin in his freshman year. Gilbert is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks of his class and was named the 2008 Offensive Player of the Year by USA Today.[1]
The son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert attended Lake Travis High School in Austin, Texas, where he broke the state record for most passing yards in a season with 4,827 yards during his junior season.[2] The record was previously held by Graham Harrell. Gilbert again broke the same record his senior season, after compiling 4,851 passing yards. He finished his high school career with 12,537 passing yards, another state record which was previously held by Harrell.[3]
High school career
Gilbert guided Lake Travis to the 2007 Texas UIL Class 4A Division II State Championship. Upon completing the 2007 season, he broke state records for completions (359), pass attempts (555) and yards (4,827).[4]
Gilbert verbally committed to play college football for the Texas Longhorns on February 7, 2008, the day after he received the offer in the mail.[5] Gilbert always had aspirations to play for Texas since he was a child. During his youth, he pretended to play football for the Longhorns, passing the football to himself in his living room and diving onto the couch to catch it. When he was eight, he had the chance to play catch with then-UT quarterback Major Applewhite, whom he considered his idol growing up. His family members were also season ticket-holders.[4]
After Lake Travis won the 2007 championship, the team's head coach, Jeff Dicus, resigned to take the head coaching position at Class 5A Duncanville High School. Chad Morris, then the head coach at Stephenville High School, became the new coach. Gilbert had to learn Morris' offense prior to his senior season.[4]
On top of the coaching change, Gilbert also had to get minor surgery done on his shoulder, which took five months to recover. Gilbert was not able to lift weights over the five-month period, and instead performed rehabilitation exercises. In June 2008, when the team practiced in 7-on-7 drills, the coaches permitted him to play on one drive, as long as he did not throw for more than 15 yards; Gilbert threw a touchdown to end the drive. Gilbert healed in time to play in the first game of the 2008 season.[4]
In the 2008 season, Gilbert led Lake Travis to a perfect 16–0 record[6] and its second straight state title. He finished the season with 4,851 passing yards for 55 touchdowns.[7]
Gilbert completed his high school career setting a state record of 12,534 passing yards, beating the previous mark set by Graham Harrell by 2 yards. Gilbert initially was indifferent to breaking the record when he had the chance during the 2008 state title game; he only did so after his coach insisted to.[8] Gilbert finished second to Harrell for career touchdowns, completions and attempts.[4] He led his Cavaliers to a 39–4 combined record as a starter from his sophomore through senior seasons.[8]
Gilbert is currently rated a five-star prospect by Rivals.com.[9] Alongside Matt Barkley of Mater Dei High School in California, Gilbert is considered the premier quarterback prospect of the class of 2009. Former college head coach Jackie Sherrill called Gilbert the best quarterback he has seen since Dan Marino.[10]
Football events
He participated in ESPN RISE's 10th anniversary Elite 11 quarterback event from July 21–24. He was one of the 11 high school quarterbacks selected out of a pool of more than a thousand. The Elite 11 played against each other and received coaching from current standout college quarterbacks.[11] An ESPN columnist pointed out that Gilbert was the most likely player from the camp to win the college football national championship.[12]
Along with 79 other high school seniors, Gilbert played in the 2009 Under Armour All-American Bowl on January 4, 2009.[13] In the nationally-televised matchup,[14] Gilbert completed 11-of-22 passes for 161 yards and an interception as he guided the Black team to a 27–16 loss over the White team.[15]
In January 2009, an ESPN reporter predicted Gilbert will win the Heisman Trophy before his collegiate senior season.[16]
Awards and honors
- 2007, 2008 Austin American-Statesman Player of the Year (became the first player to win the honor outright twice)[17]
- 2008 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award; became the first Texas player to receive the honor.[18]
- 2008 Texas Associated Press Sports Editors Class 4A all-state team[19]
- 2008 Texas Associated Press Sports Editors Class 4A Player of the Year[20]
- 2008 USA Today Offensive Player of the Year[21]
- 2009 PARADE All-American and Player of the Year[22]
- 2008 EA Sports Mr. Football USA[23]
- 2008 Built Ford Tough Class 4A Texas High School Player of the Year[24]
- 2008–09 MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year[25]
- 2009 Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year
College career
It was at first thought that Gilbert would be a likely redshirt in 2009 and would compete for the starting job in 2010. However, due to the 2008 season backup quarterback John Chiles being moved to wide receiver, Gilbert competed with fellow quarterback Sherrod Harris for the backup job during summer workouts and fall practice. On August 23, 2009, it was announced that Gilbert had officially been made the new second string quarterback as a true freshman, in front of junior Sherrod Harris.
In the 2009 season opener against Louisiana-Monroe, Gilbert went in at quarterback in the fourth quarter and drove the Longhorns down the field, going four for five on pass attempts for 46 yards, before scoring a twelve-yard rushing touchdown on a QB draw play to end the drive.
On January 7, 2010, Gilbert replaced an injured Colt McCoy in the 2010 BCS National Championship early in the first quarter.
Personal
He is the son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert,[26] who is the only NFL player in history to be a member of five consecutive Super Bowl teams.[8] He has continued the legacy of great quarterbacks from Lake Travis High School. Todd Reesing, now the quarterback at Kansas University, preceded him. Michael Brewer, a top high school prospect for the class of 2011 will succeed him.
Gilbert was born in Buffalo, New York, while his father played with the Bills. He moved to San Diego, California, at age three—when Gale Gilbert signed with the Chargers—before moving to Austin in 1996. Garrett has one brother, Griffin, who is a sophomore at Lake Travis High School and is currently one of the three starting wide receivers.
On Thursday, January 7 2010 he was PUT IN THE grissing GAME. McCOY IS HURT. OH MY GOOOOODDD
References
- ^ "All-USA honors split between Florida, Texas and Hawaii", USA Today, January 1, 2009
- ^ Davis, Danny (2007-01-10). "It took a while, but Lake Travis confirms Gilbert's third state record". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ "Lake Travis confirms Gilbert's records".
- ^ a b c d e "A truly Fabulous year for Lake Travis' Gilbert".
- ^ Duarte, Joseph (2008-02-08). "Lake Travis' Gilbert commits to Texas for 2009". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ "Title eludes Lobos: Lake Travis' Gilbert lives up to billing in 48-23 win".
- ^ "HIGH SCHOOL STATE TITLE GAMES: Lake Travis claims 2nd straight 4A state crown".
- ^ a b c "UT recruit looks like can't-miss kid".
- ^ Trubow, Alan (2008-01-30). "Quarterback recruit Gilbert earns fifth star". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^ "Gilbert or McFarland? For Fab 55, give me the QB".
- ^ "ESPN RISE Announces 2008 ELITE 11 Quarterback Field".
- ^ "Murray garners Elite 11 MVP honors".
- ^ "Under Armour All-Americans". ESPN.
- ^ "Under Armour All-America High School Football Game to be Played Jan. 4, 2009, and will be televised on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET". ESPN. 2008-04-01.
- ^ "Team White Tops Team Black, 26-17".
- ^ "Future holds national titles and Heismans for Class of '09".
- ^ "Gilbert, Stony Point Septuplets on CenTex team".
- ^ "Gatorade National Football Player of the Year: Garrett Gilbert".
- ^ "Killeen's Scales highlights The AP Sports Editors Class 4A all-state team".
- ^ "Lake Travis QB named Texas APSE player of year".
- ^ "All-USA honors split between Florida, Texas and Hawaii".
- ^ "Meet PARADE's All-America High School Football Team".
- ^ "Gilbert takes home top football award".
- ^ "Tucker Named 3A Top Player".
- ^ "MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year: Garrett Gilbert".
- ^ Bohls, Kirk (2007-12-07). "Lake Travis' Gilbert is a grounded but premier passer". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2008-02-23.