Tyler Gabbert Decommits

23 comments so far December 9, 2009 by Tom Cudd

Rumors have been circulating for quite some time now, but it was reported today by many news outlets and recruiting services that Tyler Gabbert has decommitted from Nebraska. The 6 foot, 190 pound quarterback told Nebraska Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson that he would be moving in a different direction. All indications are that Missouri is his top prospect for Gabbert at this time and that he will be making an official visit to MU this weekend.

Is Anyone Surprised?
Considering Tyler Gabbert's brother Blaine is the Missouri quarterback and that Blaine was also once also a commit to the University of Nebraska, the average fan is not probably terribly surprised by the news of Tyler's change of heart.

Missouri's recruiting of Gabbert has been very public and noteworthy. Missouri Coach Gary Pinkle has taken a helicopter to Gabbert's high school games. There is nothing subtle about the courtship.

When it Rains...
Gabbert's choice comes on the heals of speedster Curtis Carter backing out on his commitment to Nebraska. Also an offensive standout, the 5'10'', 160 pound speedster cited Nebraska's recent offensive woes as part of his reason for choosing to explore other options.

Keep visiting BRN for more analysis about what this and other recruiting news means for the Huskers 2010 recruiting class.

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23 comments so far

Remi Dec 09 09

I'm really surprised Sean Watson isn't feeling more heat about his job.

James Moore Dec 09 09

Good luck bro. We won't have a House of Spears chasing you but you will have to avoid Mr. Crick & Baby Steinkuhler and for that matter a group of Blackshirts that will be VERY formidable for the forseeable future. . .

Roy Miller Dec 09 09

Is it me or is the local media sugar coating the failure of Sean Watson's offense the last seven years?! Only once in seven years has his offense been in the top half of the Big 12 conference! Like Callahan...it is not 'him' its the personal! A lot of Nebraska fans knew that Callahan couldn't coach high school kids let alone at Big 12 level! It still took Tom Osborne to end that failure...whats it going to take for him and Bo Pelini to end the Sean Watson's failing era?! Bo has got to know a offensive coordinator that has his same sense of perfection that is so lacking now in the offense! My fear is that we will have to suffer another year of offensive failure before Tom and Bo replace Watson! Could we as Nebraska fans endure that?!

Dwayne Dec 09 09

When Osborne retired as head coach he felt it was in the best interest of the program that the coaching staff remain intact. When Osborne hired Pelini, it was under the impression that the issue was defensively and that the retainage of Watson was important under Pelini. It made sense then. I don't know the dynamics of this staff and the personalities of those involved, but the bottom line is Pelini needs to feel confident and comfortable with whoever the OC is. I haven't heard anything of the contrary that there is any lack of confidence in Watson's competence.

J Mo Dec 09 09

The good news is for those who haven't heard, we picked up two great juco players at high need positions. Lavonte David at LB and Jermarcus Hardrick at OL. Let's face it, Compton and Fisher haven't been all that impressive this year. Granted they're Redshirt freshmen and they could get better, but I feel a lot better about that position now that we've added another talented player to that group. And the O-Line desperately needs an influx of talent, and frankly we can't wait until Rodriguez and company develop, so picking up Hardrick is huge. And it's very nice that we could steal a guy from LSU.

huskersouth Dec 09 09

My gut says Gabbert decommitted after seeing the way Bo SCREAMS at Zac Lee on the sideline game after game. I was never a fan of little Gabbert and am glad with his decision out of NU, but what scares me is the impression that recruits are getting on TV by seeing Bo verbally shredding players on the sideline. I understand in the locker room Bo embraces his team with unity, high emotions and brotherhood, but the only impression TV Land gets to see is rage. I am your biggest fan Bo, but we have to be smart, dude.

Bill in Iowa Dec 09 09

Huskersouth, I completely agree. We don't hear what is being said in those verbal exchanges, but it doesn't look very pretty. If I was a recruit or a parent of a recruit, I would have reservations.

You would think a recruit like Gabbert or Carter would be looking at this offense and saying to themselves, I could walk into this program as a freshmen and have a shot at playing. We certainly need a solid QB and some WR's who can get open and catch the ball. On the other hand, I wasn't so excited about Gabbert in the first place. We need to start recruiting true dual QB's who can run spread option and pass.

Bill Dec 10 09

Sounds like Tyler Gabbert is more interested in ME than TEAM.

Mizzou can have him. He will fit in there... if anyone can find him behind the offensive line. I guess winning isn't that important to the guy.

That said... WE NEED A QB RECRUIT!

Ilovesteak Dec 10 09

Watson is feeling the heat....In fact, his job is dependent on the Holiday bowl....No points and it's bye bye....

PSW Dec 10 09

If this isn't an indictment on Watson then nothing is. Wake up Pelini, the kids you need to restore this program are walking out the door. This is not good at all...

tom Dec 10 09

I'm starting to think that fans and media are giving too much weight to recruiting over the past few years. Recruiting should not be weighed as heavily as a metric of coaching performance. Results on the field and getting people that fit the program are the names of the game. You're never going to get every recruit you go after, so why is one player or another the savior of a program?

Over the last few years, our best players have been ones that have been developed by the staff over a few years, including walk-on players. The young athletic guys with potential make too many mistakes and would continue to do so without the learning the staff gives them.

The impact of a few players decommitting now are not felt if other players are developed to do their jobs over the next few years.

Scott Dec 10 09

Who cares about Little Gabbert?? I don't. If he doesn't want to be here then I don't want him here and we can look forward to making him look like crap just like we did to Blaine. Tyler said he wants 40 throws a game. He's worried about his stats and no one else's. I feel bad for the running backs in his offense.

If someone thinks you can't win if you don't throw 40 times a game should talk to Greg Mcelroy, the QB from Alabama. All he has done is hand off to Ingram, manage his offense, and put his team in position to win a National Championship.

I wasn't real excited for Gabbert anyway since he isn't really that prized of a recruit. I'm not sure what the fuss is about. Let's fill his spot with a playmaker. Pinkel can have him to back up Blaine when he sprains his ankle again.

Fred Dec 10 09

The kid has to do what he thinks is best for himself. If he didn't think he was going to be happy at Nebraska, he should come. I will give him (and his father credit) -- he had the class and guts to call Shawn Watson and tell him upfront. So I say, good luck to you Tyler Gabbert.

As for Nebraska, the guy who is getting lost in the wash here is LaTravis Washington. He was a highly recruited option quarterback in high school with a cannon (inaccurate) arm. If we are going to a power running game with play-action vertical passing, and quarterback with running ability is needed...Besides the fact that what we really, really need at quarterback right now is a little decisiveness. Everyone is putting 8-10 guys in the box, so reading the safeties is not at a premium -- forget calling out the coverage and blocking schemes -- call the play, snap, and go!

Tim Dec 10 09

Everyone on here that is downplaying this kid now is only doing it because he is not going to NU. If he would have committed everyone would be excited at the hope of ending the offensive woes this team is going through. Nebraska needs a complete overhaul of the offense to compete for anything.

Stevo Dec 10 09

i totally agree with fred. I'm a little surprised that LaTravis didnt get to play at all this year... he had a good spring game... Zac Lee needs to be benched. he's not a threat and that is why we cant move the ball because everyone knows it is a run play... and why the heck is watson calling option plays with Lee in the game??? is he stupid... Lee cant throw much less run!!! put Cody or LaTravis in there if you're goin to do all that... also everyone needs to keep in mind how young our offense and defense is... they have alot to learn but most have improved all year except Lee.. bench him... Fire Watson... and it would be really cool if we could pick up frank solich as an offensive coordinator but that wont happen its just a wish that wont come true...

Stevo Dec 10 09

Ilovesteak Dec 12 09

Oh well, Little Gabby may do well at Mizzery. Heck he might even put up amazing numbers there....But do you really think that the Huskers will let them forget what they did...Nope...Even though they might do well against other teams doesn't mean they'll do good against us....

In all honesty I think this whole thing has been a conspiracy from the get go....The Gabberts are trying to discredit NU any way they can....