A Sooner in Texas
10/5/2011, 11:09 PM
Hadn't seen this posted yet.
http://www.chron.com/sports/longhorns/article/Benched-UT-quarterback-Gilbert-decides-to-transfer-2204428.php
AUSTIN — Garrett Gilbert, the former national high school player of the year who never lived up to that promise in 14 games as Texas’ starting quarterback, has played his last game for the Longhorns.
Gilbert, who underwent shoulder surgery last month after being replaced by the young tandem of Case McCoy and David Ash, announced Wednesday he has decided to transfer from UT. He leaves the Longhorns as a junior but could have two years of college eligibility remaining if he gets an NCAA medical redshirt due to having this season cut short by injury.
UT has granted Gilbert an unconditional release from his scholarship. In a statement released by the school, Gilbert said he plans on visiting multiple schools before deciding on his next school. According to multiple Internet reports Wednesday, he's already visited SMU.
"I can't thank all of my teammates and everyone at Texas enough for all of their support, but I just think I'm at a point in my life where I need a fresh start," Gilbert said in a statement released by the school.
Gilbert's tenure as UT's top quarterback began with promise, as he took over for an injured Colt McCoy in the 2010 Bowl Championship Series title game and nearly rallied the Longhorns to a victory over Alabama.
But his first full season as a starter was a disaster, as he threw 17 interceptions to go with only 10 touchdowns as UT limped to a 5-7 record.
This summer, he beat out three other quarterbacks to retain his starting job, but after throwing two interceptions early in the second game of the season against BYU, he was pulled out of the lineup for good.
Later in September, UT announced Gilbert had undergone surgery to repair a shoulder that worsened after the BYU game.
In high school, Gilbert led Lake Travis to back-to-back Class 4A Division I state championships in 2007 and 2008 and set a state record for career passing yards (12,540). His father, Gale Gilbert, was a backup quarterback in the NFL for eight seasons.
"Garrett is a terrific young man and we are very appreciative of everything he has done for our program," UT coach Mack Brown said in the statement. "Whatever school he decides to go to will get a guy who will work as hard as anyone and compete both on the field and in the classroom."
Said UT co-offensive coordinator Major Applewhite after practice Wednesday: "Garrett has been nothing but class and character since he's been here. I'm sure he'll do that wherever he goes."
http://www.chron.com/sports/longhorns/article/Benched-UT-quarterback-Gilbert-decides-to-transfer-2204428.php
AUSTIN — Garrett Gilbert, the former national high school player of the year who never lived up to that promise in 14 games as Texas’ starting quarterback, has played his last game for the Longhorns.
Gilbert, who underwent shoulder surgery last month after being replaced by the young tandem of Case McCoy and David Ash, announced Wednesday he has decided to transfer from UT. He leaves the Longhorns as a junior but could have two years of college eligibility remaining if he gets an NCAA medical redshirt due to having this season cut short by injury.
UT has granted Gilbert an unconditional release from his scholarship. In a statement released by the school, Gilbert said he plans on visiting multiple schools before deciding on his next school. According to multiple Internet reports Wednesday, he's already visited SMU.
"I can't thank all of my teammates and everyone at Texas enough for all of their support, but I just think I'm at a point in my life where I need a fresh start," Gilbert said in a statement released by the school.
Gilbert's tenure as UT's top quarterback began with promise, as he took over for an injured Colt McCoy in the 2010 Bowl Championship Series title game and nearly rallied the Longhorns to a victory over Alabama.
But his first full season as a starter was a disaster, as he threw 17 interceptions to go with only 10 touchdowns as UT limped to a 5-7 record.
This summer, he beat out three other quarterbacks to retain his starting job, but after throwing two interceptions early in the second game of the season against BYU, he was pulled out of the lineup for good.
Later in September, UT announced Gilbert had undergone surgery to repair a shoulder that worsened after the BYU game.
In high school, Gilbert led Lake Travis to back-to-back Class 4A Division I state championships in 2007 and 2008 and set a state record for career passing yards (12,540). His father, Gale Gilbert, was a backup quarterback in the NFL for eight seasons.
"Garrett is a terrific young man and we are very appreciative of everything he has done for our program," UT coach Mack Brown said in the statement. "Whatever school he decides to go to will get a guy who will work as hard as anyone and compete both on the field and in the classroom."
Said UT co-offensive coordinator Major Applewhite after practice Wednesday: "Garrett has been nothing but class and character since he's been here. I'm sure he'll do that wherever he goes."