Eric the Red
Team HuskerBoard
A blue-chip QB will make things fun at Nebraska again
May 17, 2007
When I heard that Nebraska had landed a verbal commitment from St. Louis area prospect Blaine Gabbert, considered by many to be the top high school quarterback in the nation, I did two things:
1. Smiled
2. Texted a message to Big Red Big Boss man Bill Callahan and standout Cornhusker defensive coordinator/recruiter Kevin Cosgrove.
They texted back quickly. But, of course, the Husker coaches can't discuss Gabbert, since he can't sign a letter-of-intent until February. But, let's put it this way: I think everyone in Lincoln is happy.
And so am I. This is another sign that Callahan is on course to return Big Red to its rightful place among the college football elite. Winning the Big 12 North last year was a good sign of progress. The next step: Winning the school's first league title since 1999. Yeah, seven seasons have passed since Nebraska won a conference crown. Amazing. I never thought I'd type that.
Scoring commitments from blue-chip passers has been a problem for Callahan, who enters his fourth year in Lincoln. The arrival of Arizona State transfer Sam Keller takes some sting out of previous quarterback snafus, but Keller has just one year of eligibility left.
Enter Gabbert, who will come on board in 2008 -- and all signs point toward him sticking with the decision and winning the job -- sooner rather than later. Why would he change his mind? Callahan, who along with offensive coordinator Shawn Watson has a connection to the Gabbert family, runs an NFL-style offense that is great prep work for playing on Sundays.
Remember, Callahan took the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl in the 2002 season. He knows what he's doing. Gabbert knows that.
Things are gonna start getting REALLY fun again in Lincoln. And I can't wait to get there, too.
May 17, 2007
When I heard that Nebraska had landed a verbal commitment from St. Louis area prospect Blaine Gabbert, considered by many to be the top high school quarterback in the nation, I did two things:
1. Smiled
2. Texted a message to Big Red Big Boss man Bill Callahan and standout Cornhusker defensive coordinator/recruiter Kevin Cosgrove.
They texted back quickly. But, of course, the Husker coaches can't discuss Gabbert, since he can't sign a letter-of-intent until February. But, let's put it this way: I think everyone in Lincoln is happy.
And so am I. This is another sign that Callahan is on course to return Big Red to its rightful place among the college football elite. Winning the Big 12 North last year was a good sign of progress. The next step: Winning the school's first league title since 1999. Yeah, seven seasons have passed since Nebraska won a conference crown. Amazing. I never thought I'd type that.
Scoring commitments from blue-chip passers has been a problem for Callahan, who enters his fourth year in Lincoln. The arrival of Arizona State transfer Sam Keller takes some sting out of previous quarterback snafus, but Keller has just one year of eligibility left.
Enter Gabbert, who will come on board in 2008 -- and all signs point toward him sticking with the decision and winning the job -- sooner rather than later. Why would he change his mind? Callahan, who along with offensive coordinator Shawn Watson has a connection to the Gabbert family, runs an NFL-style offense that is great prep work for playing on Sundays.
Remember, Callahan took the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl in the 2002 season. He knows what he's doing. Gabbert knows that.
Things are gonna start getting REALLY fun again in Lincoln. And I can't wait to get there, too.
