Recruit Gabbert rescinds

By Mike Bushnell

Published Oct. 26, 2007

Blaine Gabbert, a senior quarterback at Parkway West High School in Ballwin, Missouri, and sought-after recruit, rescinded his oral commitment to Nebraska on Wednesday.

He said the uncertainty surrounding the program led to his decision.

"With the turmoil and uncertainty of the coaching staff, I felt I like I had to re-evaluate my options," Gabbert told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I re-open my recruitment as of tonight. I'm open to all schools."

Gabbert chose Nebraska over Missouri and Alabama in May, but he visited MU last weekend and saw the Tigers beat then-No. 22 Texas Tech 41-10.

"The main reason he chose Nebraska was because of the coaching staff," Parkway West coach Mike Roth told the Omaha World-Herald. "With all the uncertainty, honestly, I don't think he felt he really had another choice than to do this. He doesn't want to end up in a bad situation late in the year."

Gabbert, the No. 48 player in the class of 2008 according to Rivals.com, has been seriously thinking of committing to Missouri, according to multiple Missouri fan Web sites.

Junior quarterback Blaine Dalton of Blue Springs South High School outside Kansas City, Mo., has already committed for 2009.

"I'm really excited," Dalton told the Jackson County (Mo.) Examiner last week. "I went to the game, and they played so well. I talked to the coaches. It's where I wanted to go, so I figured I might as well commit now."

Gabbert has also been sidelined since Sept. 28 with a separated shoulder, and it is uncertain if he will return this season.