Tigers eye quarterback candidates

Blaine Gabbert threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

By Evan Glantz

Published April 13, 2009

As the Tigers prepare to defend their second consecutive Big 12 North title, the large, looming question is what the quarterback's depth chart will read when opening day rolls around.

With spring practice underway, the four candidates vying for the spot got game experience Saturday in an offense versus defense team scrimmage. After struggling early, the offense pulled away and secured a 45-37 victory.

"I told our players that we're not close to as good as we can be," coach Gary Pinkel said. "We just have to play a higher level of ball, all of us. So we're just going to keep working hard and keep trying to get better."

The game started out well for the offense when sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert connected with sophomore wide receiver Jerrell Jackson for a touchdown to put the offense up 7-0. Jackson finished the scrimmage as the offense's leading receiver, with five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.

But all eyes were on Gabbert, who came into spring practice as the leading candidate to replace former quarterback Chase Daniel. Gabbert, a five-star recruit, finished the day completing 17 of 29 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns. If Gabbert was worried about the quarterback competition, he did not show it Saturday.

"Competition brings out the best in people," Gabbert said. "We're all just out here competing, having fun every day."

Gabbert was clearly the top performer among the four in the scrimmage, after playing a year under the tutelage of Daniel. On Saturday, Daniel was on the field again, offering words of advice to all the candidates.

"He just fills you in on what you need to do," Gabbert said. "From making the reads, to looking off people and just the little things that help out."

The scrimmage also gave fans a chance to see the three other quarterbacks. Sophomore walk-on Jimmy Costello got most of the work with the second team offense, and for now appears to be No. 2 on the depth chart, but it's still very early.

Then there were the freshmen signal callers, Blaine Dalton and Ashton Glaser. Both struggled somewhat in the game-like experience, but Pinkel said it is all part of the learning process.

"They're in a different world out here right now," he said. "I call it getting dirty out there. Every quarterback I've ever been around went through the same thing. But that is also part of their growth. That's how you get better at that position."

One of the concerns about the new quarterback, whoever wins the job, is how he can match the production of Daniel. But the players on this year's team are moving on and looking forward.

"The offense isn't taking a step back. We're taking a step forward," said sophomore wide receiver Wes Kemp, who had five catches for 71 yards. "It's a new year, we got new playmakers, new receivers, a new quarterback, so we're taking a step forward, not a step back."