Former Starting QB Garrett Gilbert To Transfer

By Lynn Freehill in Sports on October 5, 2011 at 4:26 pm | 8 Comments

After three seasons at UT—one of promise, one of defeat, and one of dashed hopes—former starting quarterback Garrett Gilbert has decided to transfer, UT announced Wednesday.

“This was a very difficult decision because I love The University of Texas and have had a great time playing there,” Gilbert said in a statement. “I’ve talked to Coach Brown, Coach Harsin, and the staff and have decided it is in my best interest to transfer. 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—who is coming off recent shoulder surgery and has been replaced with younger players in the quarterback position—hasn’t decided where to go yet but will be making visits this semester.

“Garrett is a terrific young man and we are very appreciative of everything he has done for our program,” head coach Mack Brown said. “I know this has been a tough decision, and I can’t thank him enough for hanging in there, helping the younger guys and being a great team guy even after he hurt his shoulder. We talked about his decision and we all fully support him.

“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,” Brown added. “He is the type of student-athlete any coach would be proud to have in their program. We wish him the best and will be watching and rooting for him as he continues his college football career and in the future.”

Starting out with all the promise in the world, the junior has had a heartbreaker of a college career. His debut came in the 2010 national championship, after Colt McCoy was injured early on—the highest-pressure start imaginable to a freshman’s college football career. The Longhorns lost the game. Then, last year, he led the team through an excruciating 5-7 season.

It’s been a Greek tragedy of a comedown for the son of a former NFL quarterback, a hometown hero from Lake Travis who was rated as the second-best quarterback in his recruiting class and named the 2009 Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Despite the disappointment, Longhorn Nation—like Brown—no doubt wishes Gilbert the best in the future.

Garrett Gilbert in the season opener against Rice. Photo courtesy Jim Sigmon/UT Athletics

Tags: garrett gilbert, LinkedIn, texas football, texas longhorns, texas quarterback transfers