Blaine Gabbert

One of the most highly recruited players in the nation, Gabbert was a pro-style quarterback for Parkway West High School in Ballwin, Mo. who surprised some by staying in-state to play in the Tigers' spread offense and turning down scholarship offers from Alabama, Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon and Tennessee, among many others. Teams considering using a top five pick on Gabbert know that he has never shied away from high expectations. He played in five games as a true freshman in 2008 and followed in the footsteps of Tigers legends Brad Smith and Chase Daniel. As the starter in 2009, Gabbert finished 11th in the nation with 291.3 yards of total offense per game. He threw for 3,186 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, leading Missouri to 18 wins in just two seasons and is fourth in school history with 6,822 passing yards. That was enough to convince Gabbert that he was ready to make the leap to the NFL a year early. That decision was made even easier when Andrew Luck opted to return to Stanford. Gabbert doesn't buy the argument that spread quarterbacks are destined to struggle in the NFL. Mention Alex Smith and he'll rattle off the names of Sam Bradford, Joe Flacco and Colt McCoy, who have enjoyed early success in their careers. "If you're good, you're good, and you're going to play wherever," Gabbert said at the combine. He also points out that Missouri's offense called for three- and four-progression reads and utilizing plenty of play-action. "Play-action was a big part of our offense. Hitting the seams, hitting the verticals on the sideline. And that's how we beat teams," he said. "I had to make those throws. I was willing to make those throws. And I did make those throws." However, the footwork in taking a snap from under center rather than being in the shotgun nearly exclusively presents a big challenge. Gabbert has been working with noted quarterbacks coach Terry Shea along with former Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder in Arizona. Just like he did in making the transition at Missouri, Gabbert expects to hit the film room and be ready to contribute to his new team out of the gate. "I'm going to go in with the mindset that I'm going to be the starter from Day 1. That's how quarterbacks have to be," he said. "You've gotta be the competitor that's going to go in there, work your tail off, fight for that starting job, and whatever the coaches at the destination deem necessary for us, we're going to be willing to do." He has the size, quick release, arm strength and athleticism that should make Gabbert an excellent NFL quarterback. But with just two years as a starter under his belt and some inconsistency in the face of pressure, he also has plenty of work to put in before starting at the next level.

setup/release

Looks the part of a pocket passer, standing tall in the pocket. Usually has a quick release, almost whipping the ball out. Winds up and double-clutches on occasion, but still releases the ball quickly. Completes downfield passes with traffic around him, but will short-arm throws and panic with pressure coming straight at him. Generally balanced, sometimes throwing from his back foot. Pats the ball to keep rhythm on long throws. Does not feel backside pressure well. Can get happy feet against a strong defense, though he will re-set his feet and deliver at times. Almost always in the shotgun formation, must master the traditional snap from center. When not taking one step back and firing a short throw, gets a bit long with his final drop step making it difficult to transition back forward and leaving him susceptible to pass rush.

reading defenses

Will take time to transition to the NFL because he runs the typical spread offense. Only reads one receiver on many plays, or even half of one side of the field. Stares down receivers and defenders read him easily. Does not look for secondary receivers, tends to take off instead. Fails to see blitzes coming consistently, even when they aren't disguised.

arm strength

Has a solid NFL arm and throws a tight spiral, giving him the capability to stretch the field horizontally and vertically. Threads the ball between the corner and safety against cover-two and needles the ball through tight windows over the middle. Flashes nice touch on seam throws to the tight end. Needs to throttle down a bit more consistently; will overthrow passes in close proximity and sail sideline patterns.

intangibles

Respected leader in the locker room. Has the confidence to win over the huddle. Willing to put in the time in the film room to master the offense. Very competitive, gives full effort on the field.

on the move

Nice athlete for a quarterback his size, makes plays outside the pocket and able to pick up more than a first down on the run. Shows some elusiveness in the pocket, but chooses to run outside rather than step up to find a receiver. Falls forward for first downs, but must learn how to push the pile on sneaks. Willing to throw the ball away if nothing is available. Good mobility outside the pocket, but gets inconsistent in his accuracy and makes some poor decisions because he gets impatient. Is not overly elusive, will not escape NFL pockets and tackles as easily as he is able to do in college. Needs to learn how to slide.

compares to

Sam Bradford, Rams -- Finding an appropriate comparison for Gabbert is difficult, as his arm and mobility outclasses former No. 1 picks Alex Smith and Eli Manning. Not as accurate or productive as Bradford, it is intriguing to consider what Gabbert's stats would have been on those 2007-08 Oklahoma squads.

accuracy

Regularly shows the ability to place the ball on his target's numbers, though most of his best throws came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage because of the Missouri spread offense. Throws darts to either side of the field on short timing routes and passes between the hashes. Gives his receivers a chance to make a play after the catch on crossing routes, leading them perfectly when he's comfortable in the pocket. Inconsistent throwing outside the hashes, however, making some fantastic throws on out routes and sailing many others above the head of open receivers or coming up short on touch throws over the top. Also inconsistent on short throws when under pressure.

2007: Played in only five games as a high school senior due to an injured foot and then a season-ending shoulder injury.

Combine: 4.61 40-yard dash; 33 1/2-inch vertical; 10'8" broad jump; 4.26 short shuttle; 6.84 3-cone drill.

One of the most highly sought-after quarterback prospects in the nation who chose to go with his in-state school

Was a five-star blue-chip All-American who was hailed as the nation's top pro-style quarterback prospect, according to Rivals, and was that outlet's No. 14 national player overall at any position

Was also the consensus No. 1 player in the state of Missouri

ESPN.com called him one of the best quarterbacks they have seen in the previous three classes combined

Ranked as the nation's No. 5 quarterback, and as the country's No. 38 overall prospect at any position by ESPN.com, and came in at No. 47 nationwide by PrepStar Magazine

Was invited to participate in the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback camp in the summer of 2007 (winning camp MVP honors), and in January of 2008, was impressive playing in the U.S. Army All-American Game

Gained all those accolades, and many more, despite playing in only 5 games as a senior, as he began the year hobbled with an injured foot, and once past that setback, was lost for the season with a shoulder injury soon after

Injuries limited his statistics to 623 passing yards and 5 TDs as a senior in 4 games, after he posted impressive figures of 1,523 yards and 20 TDs (on 119-of-231 passing) as a junior, as he also added another 458 yards rushing and 8 TDs

Threw for approximately 1,100 yards and 11 TDs as a first-year starter during his sophomore season of 2005

Also a standout in the sport of baseball who has earned all-conference recognition there

High school coach - Mike Roth.

Parents - Chuck & Beverly Gabbert

Chose Mizzou over virtually any school in the nation, but primarily over Nebraska, Oregon, Tennessee, Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State and Minnesota, among numerous others

Lists sports, hanging out with friends and fishing as his primary hobbies

Cites his strong relationship with Mizzou's players and coaches, for a primary reason why he chose Mizzou, as well as the school's proximity to his hometown

After his commitment to Mizzou during the fall, he became an additional recruiter for the Tigers, and along with fellow signee Andrew Jones, did a lot of work to champion Mizzou's cause to his friends.