Garrett Gilbert will arrive at SMU fully eligible to compete for the starting quarterback job in June.
After taking a whopping 27 hours at the University of Texas so he can graduate on time, Gilbert is excited for the opportunity he will have on the Hilltop.
Even with the amount of hours he is taken, which includes three online courses, Gilbert still throws four to five times a week.
This is an effort to get ready for the more than 250 throws SMU quarterbacks perform in a usual practice.
“You definitely have to take care of it after practice and especially during camp when we’ll be throwing everyday so we’ll have to take care of it,” Gilbert said after coming to watch an SMU practice this spring. “I’m just excited about getting back out and being able to practice again.”
Gilbert’s shoulder is still recovering after his Sept. 20 surgery, but said the shoulder is close to 100 percent OK.
“We kind of took the rehab process slow because there was not as much of a rush and so now it feels great,” Gilbert said.
“It feels strong again, but it’s just a matter of getting the volume back so I can handle one of these practices where you throw quite a bit.”
Gilbert’s career at Texas was an up and down experience after he was thrown into the national championship game his freshman year when Colt McCoy was injured.
As a sophomore the next year, Gilbert started all 12 games and Texas missed out on a bowl game with a 5-7 record.
The 2011 season did not fare any better as Gilbert was pulled from the second game of the season after throwing two interceptions.
Texas’ offense needed a change so the coaches went with younger quarterbacks. Gilbert started exploring his options to transfer.
SMU fit Gilbert’s mold.
As a prep star at Lake Travis High School, Gilbert played in an air-raid offense, which throws the ball around about 50-60 times a game.
Allowing Gilbert to amass a ton of yardage and be one of the most sought after recruits in the country.
SMU’s offense is predicated on passing and getting the ball out in a hurry, which is one of Gilbert’s strong points with his strong arm.
That arm strength is something that this SMU offense missed.
His talent will serve the Mustangs well if he can pick up the offense over the summer and win the starting job.
