 Garrett Gilbert in game with the AAF's Orlando Apollos (2019). | |
| Date of birth | July 1 1991 |
| Place of birth | Buffalo, New York |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Dallas Cowboys — No. 3 | |
| College | SMU Texas |
| High school | Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) |
| NFL Draft | 2014 / Round 6 / Pick: 214 by the St. Louis Rams |
| Notable career highlights |
|
| Career player statistics (if any) | |
| ' | |
| ' | |
| ' | |
| Stats at pro-football-reference.com | |
| Team(s) as a player (if any) | |
| St. Louis Rams (2014)* New England Patriots (2014) Detroit Lions (2015) Oakland Raiders (2015–2016)* Carolina Panthers (2017–2018) Orlando Apollos (AAF) (2019) Cleveland Browns (2019–2020) Dallas Cowboys (2020-present) * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Team(s) as a coach/administrator (if any) | |
Garrett Antone Gilbert (born July 1, 1991) is an American football quarterback who is a free agent. He is the son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert, he played college football at Texas and SMU.
Gilbert initially saw little playing time as a professional and was primarily assigned to the offseason and practice squads of his teams during his first five seasons in the NFL. He came to prominence as the starting quarterback of the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019 where he led the league in yards and passer rating and helped his team obtain a league-best 7-1 record and playoff berth. After the AAF suspended operations before the scheduled conclusion of the season, Gilbert signed with the Browns and then started games for the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Football Team.
High school career[]
Gilbert made his first high school start during 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." [1]
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).[2]
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.[2]
On top of the coaching change, Gilbert had to undergo minor shoulder surgery, which took five months to recover. He 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.[2]
In the 2008 season, Gilbert led Lake Travis to a perfect 16–0 record[3] and its second straight state title. He finished the season with 4,851 passing yards for 55 touchdowns.[4]
Gilbert completed his high school career setting a state record of 12,534[5] passing yards, breaking the previous mark set by Graham Harrell by two 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.[6] Gilbert finished second to Harrell for career touchdowns, completions and attempts.[2] He led his Cavaliers to a 39–4 combined record as a starter from his sophomore through senior seasons.[6]
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.[7] An ESPN columnist pointed out that Gilbert was the most likely player from the camp to win the college football national championship.[8]
Along with 79 other high school seniors, Gilbert played in the 2009 Under Armour All-America Game on January 4, 2009.[9] In the nationally televised matchup,[10] 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.[11]
In January 2009, a Scouts Inc. reporter predicted that Gilbert would win the Heisman Trophy before his collegiate senior season.[12]
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.[13] He 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-Texas quarterback Major Applewhite, whom he considered to be his idol growing up. His family members were also season ticket holders.[2]
Gilbert was rated as a five-star prospect by Rivals.com.[14] Alongside Matt Barkley of Mater Dei High School in California, Gilbert was 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.[15]
Awards and honors[]
- Super Bowl champion (XLIX)
- 2007, 2008 Austin American-Statesman Player of the Year (became the first player to win the honor outright twice)[16]
- 2008 Mr. Texas Football[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]
- 2008–2009 MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year[25]
- 2009 Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year[26]
Collegiate Statistics[]
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2009 | TEX | 10 | 0 | 30 | 66 | 45.5 | 310 | 4.7 | 2 | 4 | 82.8 | 11 | 5 | 0.5 | 1 |
| 2010 | TEX | 12 | 12 | 260 | 441 | 59.0 | 2,744 | 6.2 | 10 | 17 | 111.0 | 100 | 380 | 3.8 | 5 |
| 2011 | TEX | 2 | 2 | 15 | 31 | 48.4 | 247 | 8.0 | 1 | 2 | 113.1 | 7 | 15 | 2.1 | 0 |
| 2012 | SMU | 13 | 13 | 268 | 506 | 53.0 | 2,932 | 5.8 | 15 | 15 | 105.5 | 94 | 346 | 3.7 | 8 |
| 2013 | SMU | 10 | 10 | 335 | 504 | 66.5 | 3,528 | 7.0 | 21 | 7 | 136.2 | 83 | 267 | 3.2 | 6 |
| Career | 47 | 37 | 908 | 1,548 | 58.7 | 9,761 | 6.3 | 49 | 45 | 116.3 | 295 | 1,013 | 3.4 | 20 | |
References[]
- ↑ Doelle, Chris. "BONUS – 4A Austin Lake Travis vs. Texas City", Lone Star Gridiron, September 2, 2006.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "A truly Fabulous year for Lake Travis' Gilbert". Archived from the original on February 4, 2009.
- ↑ "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".
- ↑ "Texas High School Football Passing Career Yardage Leaders", Lone Star Gridiron.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "UT recruit looks like can't-miss kid".
- ↑ "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, April 1, 2008.
- ↑ "Team White Tops Team Black, 26–17".
- ↑ "Future holds national titles and Heismans for Class of '09".
- ↑ Duarte, Joseph. "Lake Travis’ Gilbert commits to Texas for 2009", Houston Chronicle, February 8, 2008.
- ↑ Trubow, Alan. "Quarterback recruit Gilbert earns fifth star", Austin American-Statesman, January 30, 2008.
- ↑ "Gilbert or McFarland? For Fab 55, give me the QB".
- ↑ "Gilbert, Stony Point Septuplets on CenTex team".
- ↑ Mr. Texas Football Player of the Year – Dave Campbell's Texas Football.
- ↑ "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", USA Today, January 1, 2009.
- ↑ "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".
- ↑ Gatorade AOYs: Diggins, Gilbert Take Top Honors – MaxPreps (in en) (July 15, 2009).
External links[]
- Garrett Gilbert article at Wikipedia
