Garrett Gilbert

Garrett Gilbert
No. 5 Oakland Raiders
Position: Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1991-07-01) July 1, 1991
Place of birth: Buffalo, New York
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight: 221 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school: Austin (TX) Lake Travis
College: Southern Methodist
NFL draft: 2014 / Round: 6 / Pick: 214
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
  • Super Bowl XLIX
  • AFC Champion (2014)
  • Mr. Texas Football (2008)
  • Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year (2008)
  • Gatorade Football Player of the Year (2008)
  • USA Today Offensive Player of the Year (2008)
  • USA Today High School All-American (2008)
  • Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Semifinalist
  • Three-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Week (Rutgers, Temple, at Cincinnati)
  • Walter Camp National Player of the Week (Temple)
  • Manning Award Star of the Week (Temple)
  • NCAA.com National Offensive Player of the Week (Temple)
  • Earl Campbell Tyler Rose National Player of the Week (Temple)
  • CBSSports.com National Offensive Player of the Week (Temple)
  • Davey O'Brien Quarterback of the Week (Temple).
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com

Garrett Gilbert (born July 1, 1991) is an American football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas and SMU. Gilbert has also been a member of the New England Patriots, and has been on the practice squads of the St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions.

Gilbert was regarded as one of the best high school quarterbacks of his class and was named the 2008 Offensive Player of the Year by USA Today.[1] He holds two records at Texas. The son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert, he 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 and leading the top team in the state to another state championship. 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 made his first high school start his sophomore year in the 2006 Texas Football Classic, where he led the Cavaliers to a 41-34 victory over Texas City. His performance caused Texas gridiron sportswriters to take notice, including Lone Star Gridiron's Chris Doelle who referred to Gilbert as "the best high school quarterback I have seen EVER." [4]

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).[5]

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. Prior to his senior season, Gilbert learned Morris' offense.[5]

On top of the coaching change, Gilbert had to undergo minor shoulder surgery, which took five months to recover. Gilbert was not able to lift weights during the five-month period, and instead performed rehabilitation exercises. Gilbert recovered in time to play the first game of the 2008 season.[5]

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[8] passing yards, breaking 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.[9] Gilbert finished second to Harrell for career touchdowns, completions and attempts.[5] He led his Cavaliers to a 39–4 combined record as a starter from his sophomore through senior seasons.[9]

Football events

Gilbert 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.[10] An ESPN columnist pointed out that Gilbert was the most likely player from the camp to win the college football national championship.[11]

Along with 79 other high school seniors, Gilbert played in the 2009 Under Armour All-American Bowl on January 4, 2009.[12] In the nationally-televised matchup,[13] Gilbert completed 11-of-22 passes for 161 yards and an interception as he guided the Black team in its 27–16 loss to the White team.[14]

In January 2009, a Scouts Inc. reporter predicted Gilbert will win the Heisman Trophy before his collegiate senior season.[15]

College recruitment

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.[16] 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.[5]

Gilbert was rated as a five-star prospect by Rivals.com.[17] Alongside Matt Barkley of Mater Dei High School in California, Gilbert is 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.[18]

Awards and honors

College career

2009 season

Gilbert drops back for a pass in the BCS National Championship game

It was at first thought that Gilbert would likely redshirt in 2009 and compete for the starting job in 2010. However, since former backup quarterback John Chiles was moved to wide receiver, Gilbert competed with Sherrod Harris for the backup job during the offseason. On August 23, 2009, Gilbert became the second-string quarterback as a true freshman, in front of junior Sherrod Harris.

In the 2009 season opener against Louisiana-Monroe, Gilbert lined up behind center during the fourth quarter and drove the Longhorns down the field, making 4-of-5 passes for 46 yards, before scoring a twelve-yard rushing touchdown on a quarterback draw play to end the drive.

On January 7, 2010, in the BCS National Championship Game, Gilbert replaced the injured Colt McCoy. Gilbert completed 15-of-40 passes for 186 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. One analyst took the position that his stat line did not reflect how well he actually played (even though he was responsible for five turnovers - the four interceptions and a lost fumble), and that several of his passes that should have been caught were dropped.[28] Gilbert led the Longhorns to two scoring drives in the second half to spark a comeback, bringing the score to 21-24 Alabama. However, the comeback ultimately fell short late in the game with a turnover inside the Texas 5–yard line. The Longhorns lost the game 37–21.[29]

2010 season

Gilbert was the starting quarterback during 2010 season. He led the team to a 5–7 record, Texas' first losing season since 1997. Soon after that year's bowl season, Mack Brown announced that every job was up for grabs, leaving Gilbert to compete with sophomores Case McCoy and Conner Wood, as well as freshman David Ash.

2011 season

On August 29, it was announced that Gilbert would retain the starting position in the season opener against Rice. However, on September 12, it was announced that Gilbert was being moved to the second string quarterback behind Case McCoy and David Ash (sharing starting job). On September 20, it was announced that Gilbert underwent successful surgery on his shoulder and was ruled out the remainder of the season.

Gilbert was granted his unconditional release from Texas on October 5, allowing him the opportunity to seek a transfer.[30] Later that day, he was seen at Southern Methodist University, watching the football team practice.[31] He completed his degree at Texas and transferred to SMU for the 2012 season.

2012 season

Gilbert won the starting job at SMU, where he ran June Jones's run-and-shoot offense. He began the season with an inconsistent performance at Baylor, throwing two interceptions in a loss.

As the season progressed, Gilbert gained confidence, tossing 4 touchdowns against the University of Houston en route to a 72–42 win, a game which set the SMU record for points in a game. He had his best game of the season the following week against Memphis, throwing for 353 yards, with 1 TD in the air and another 2 on the ground.

2013 season

Gilbert passed for 3,528 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2013. He missed two games due to injury. He finished his college career with 9,761 yards and 49 touchdowns.

Records

Professional career

St. Louis Rams

In the 6th round of the 2014 NFL draft, the St. Louis Rams chose Gilbert with the 214th pick overall. He was released during final cuts on August 29, 2014. He was signed to the Rams practice squad on September 1, 2014. He was cut from the practice squad on October 30, 2014.[32]

New England Patriots

On December 17, 2014, the Patriots signed Gilbert to their practice squad.[33] He remained on the practice squad when the Patriots defeated the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX earning him a Super Bowl ring.

On June 11, 2015, the Patriots waived Gilbert.[34]

Detroit Lions

After being waived by the Patriots, Gilbert was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions.[35] He was waived on September 1, 2015.[36]

Oakland Raiders

On September 6, 2015, Gilbert was signed to the practice squad of the Oakland Raiders.

Personal

Gilbert is the son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert.[37] The two Gilberts share a common sports oddity. Each has been the member of a team that has lost a nationally televised championship game. Gale was a member of a baseball team from Red Bluff, California that lost the final game of the 1974 Little League World Series. As a member of the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers, he was a member of five consecutive football teams that lost the Super Bowl. Garrett was a member of the Texas Longhorns football team which lost the 2010 BCS national championship to Alabama. Interestingly, during the 2014-15 NFL season, Garrett Gilbert received a Super Bowl Ring as a member of the New England Patriots practice squad before the team released him six months later.

Gilbert was born in Buffalo, New York, where his father played for the Bills. He moved to San Diego, California at age three, when Gale signed with the Chargers. They moved to Austin in 1996. Garrett has one brother, Griffin, who plays football at Texas Christian University.

References

  1. ↑ "All-USA honors split between Florida, Texas and Hawaii". USA Today. January 1, 2009.
  2. ↑ Davis, Danny (2007-01-10). "It took a while, but Lake Travis confirms Gilbert's third state record". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on 2008-03-06. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  3. ↑ "Lake Travis confirms Gilbert’s records".
  4. ↑ Doelle, Chris (2006-09-02). "BONUS - 4A Austin Lake Travis vs. Texas City". Lone Star Gridiron.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "A truly Fabulous year for Lake Travis' Gilbert".
  6. ↑ "Title eludes Lobos: Lake Travis' Gilbert lives up to billing in 48-23 win".
  7. ↑ "HIGH SCHOOL STATE TITLE GAMES: Lake Travis claims 2nd straight 4A state crown".
  8. ↑ "Texas High School Football Passing Career Yardage Leaders". Lone Star Gridiron.
  9. 1 2 "UT recruit looks like can't-miss kid".
  10. ↑ "ESPN RISE Announces 2008 ELITE 11 Quarterback Field".
  11. ↑ "Murray garners Elite 11 MVP honors".
  12. ↑ "Under Armour All-Americans". ESPN.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "Team White Tops Team Black, 26-17".
  15. ↑ "Future holds national titles and Heismans for Class of '09".
  16. ↑ Duarte, Joseph (2008-02-08). "Lake Travis’ Gilbert commits to Texas for 2009". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  17. ↑ Trubow, Alan (2008-01-30). "Quarterback recruit Gilbert earns fifth star". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  18. ↑ "Gilbert or McFarland? For Fab 55, give me the QB".
  19. ↑ "Gilbert, Stony Point Septuplets on CenTex team".
  20. ↑ "Gatorade National Football Player of the Year: Garrett Gilbert".
  21. ↑ "Killeen's Scales highlights The AP Sports Editors Class 4A all-state team".
  22. ↑ "Lake Travis QB named Texas APSE player of year".
  23. ↑ "All-USA honors split between Florida, Texas and Hawaii". USA Today. 2009-01-01. Retrieved 2010-05-03.
  24. ↑ "Meet PARADE's All-America High School Football Team".
  25. ↑ "Gilbert takes home top football award".
  26. ↑ "Tucker Named 3A Top Player".
  27. ↑ "MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year: Garrett Gilbert".
  28. ↑ "ESPN: Title Game a "Humbling" Experience".
  29. ↑ "Texas Longhorns vs. Alabama Crimson Tide".
  30. ↑ "Garrett Gilbert to transfer from Texas". ESPN.com. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  31. ↑ Kercheval, Ben (5 October 2011). "Updated: Garrett Gilbert given unconditional release from UT". NBC Sports. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  32. ↑ Holland, E (October 30, 2014). "Rams waive former SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert". Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  33. ↑ http://m.patriots.com/news/article-1/Patriots-place-DL-Dominique-Easley-on-injured-reserve-Sign-TE-Steve-Maneri/086636eb-8de1-4ca3-9dca-ae96e40862af
  34. ↑ http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/11/report-patriots-waive-garrett-gilbert/
  35. ↑ Gantt, Darin (June 13, 2015). "Lions make a spot for former Patriots QB Garrett Gilbert". NBCSports.com. Retrieved 2015-08-20.
  36. ↑ Rothstein, Michael (September 1, 2015). "Ryan Broyles among cuts as Lions trim roster to 75". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 25, 2016.
  37. ↑ Bohls, Kirk (2007-12-07). "Lake Travis' Gilbert is a grounded but premier passer". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on 2008-02-17. Retrieved 2008-02-23.

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Colt McCoy		 University of Texas Quarterback
2009–2011 		Succeeded by
Case McCoy
David Ash
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