The Five Year Recruit?
6 comments so far
June 10, 2009 by
When Tyler Gabbert committed to play at Nebraska this past week, it was not altogether surprising. Gabbert is a highly regarded recruit and his brother had a courtship with Nebraska football that ended in large part because of the tailspin the program was in back in 2007. What is a bit surprising might be Gabbert’s stature. He stands only 6 feet tall.
Joe Ganz is just one example of a college quarterback that showed he can be effective at around 6 feet tall. Chase Daniel is another, and the list goes on and on. But when it comes to the NFL, it’s a different story. Teams tend to avoid quarterbacks that aren’t well over 6 feet. A Drew Brees is the exception, a Peyton Manning more often the rule.
Which leads you to wonder, might a team be deliberately seek a player the NFL is unlikely to want in hopes that they can keep him around longer? Any team would take an athlete like Michael Vick (putting aside the off-the field baggage), but that doesn’t make losing them after three years any easier. Virginia Tech went 11-1 in each of the two seasons Vick played, but then lost 4 games in each of the two seasons that followed.
In basketball, national championship coaches like Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski and Maryland’s Gary Williams have been said to deliberately seek out four year players. Deep runs in the NCAA hoops tournament by senior-laden teams like George Mason or St. Joseph’s in recent years underscore the value that fourth and fifth year seniors can bring to their teams. While football is a different sport, it’s not that different. Many of the leading prognosticators of college football tend to scan teams for returning players and give extra weight to teams that bring back seniors. Certainly, the high expectations for Nebraska this year stem in large parts from returning seniors like Ndamukong Suh and Jacob Hickman.
So might Gabbert be the perfect pick for Nebraska, especially a year after landing a physical specimen like Cody Green? Green could blow up and be headed to the NFL in 2012. Meanwhile, Gabbert should be available until 2014. You don’t necessarily overlook a Green for a Gabbert, but following one with the other makes a great deal of sense.
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nu-isu-fan Jun 11 09
Very good points. The reports I've read say he's got real talent, but are quick to point out his (lack of) size. There are very successful, smaller QBs all over in college ball.
The only thing that makes me wonder is speed. I think it was Gabbert himself who said he was more of a drop back, pocket passer than his brother. I was thinking NU was going for dual threat QBs more than pro style QBs.
darren Jun 11 09
Interesting perspective, Steve.
While I doubt that NU recruited Gabbert (the younger) *because* he is smaller and less likely NFL-bound early in his career, I do think that his potential to stick around at NU is a great bonus.
Consider how much better off USC would be right now if Mark Sanchez had stuck around longer. Just saying...
As far as Green/Gabbert competition, it will be worth watching. Martinez is in the mix too, I think. None of these guys signed up to sit for 3 or 4 years before playing. QB is tough because you really can only play one.
I can't imagine any kid being patient enough to pull a Gerry Gdowski and only play as a senior.
I know that there are no guarantees - to Green or anyone else - and that there will be serious competition that makes them all better players.
NUfan Jun 11 09
I know this article is just throwing out some ideas during a slow period, but this is far fetched and purely speculative. I doubt the premise put forth even remotely crossed one coach's mind in the recruitment of TG. They would probably think it is laughable.
The coaches have been very clear. They want good kids that are good football players. TG fits the bill and was one of the, if not the, top QB on the coaches board. TG just finished his junior year in HS, so lets at least let the kid grow up before speculating on his height when he plays in college, let alone the NFL. He is tall enough as it is to be an effective QB and has time to grow; so his size won't be a problem.
caveman99 Jun 11 09
darren - kudos on mentioning one of my favs, Gerry Gdowski!
Regarding recruiting players who will stick around for 4-5 years, this is simply just luck of the draw. Assuming TG turns out to be a great player, the fact that he doesn't seem to have the measurables to play in the NFL, ala Joe Ganz, is just a bonus to NU. In no way can a staff consider this when recruiting. They have to get the best players that fit their system. If they leave early because of great success on the field, well that is why certain programs are better than others. Lots of teams have Flash in the pan type seasons, great programs keep it going.
James Moore Jun 11 09
For many reasons building up a program via redshirting or upperclassmen is desirable (extra year for training, system implementation, getting adapted to college life, choesiveness for classes, etc.) and the difference in strength, maturity, knowledge and presence in collegiate sports between the ages of 18-22 is night and day. . .
BUT if we had USC-type talent (in depth) and were losing a Sanchez-type underclassman to the NFL would we really be complaining? Would we not all be confident in this speculative scenario that Coach Pelini has a program in place, develops his players, and had a record of sustainable achievement at the highest levels year-in-and-year-out? At the end of the day what we are looking for is desire, effort, merit, and obviously some talent. If we can instill the Husker culture into all players during the early stages of Coach Pelini's era, we will be fine. . .
The bottom line is Gabbert, Green, Martinez are WINNERS. They won in high school, and put up some impressive numbers in the process. Honestly these three are a very good start towards building up depth at the QB spot. Whether we have them for 3, 4 or 5 years their legacy will be as important as to how long they stayed with us. Did they compete? Did they work hard? Did they show leadership skills on and off the field? Did they do what their coaches told them to do? These three have obvious talent. But what they do off the field will be the most important contribution they will have left to Nebraska football. If they become examples to follow, then their time here will be paid back tenfold. . .
lurkerwilly Jun 11 09
Tyler Gabbert reminds me of Todd Reising and if we can get that kind of player as well as character hurrah for Nebraska.