Blaine Gabbert’s brother Tyler transferring from Missouri

Missouri Tigers head coach Gary Pinkel watches the action in the first quarter against the Illinois Illini at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis on September 4, 2010. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

In rather surprising news, Tyler Gabbert, the younger brother of Blaine Gabbert, has unexpectedly decided to transfer from the University of Missouri.

When reached for comment about his son’s decision, this is what Chuck Gabbert told Dave Matter of the Columbia Tribune:

“The Gabbert family thinks the world of Coach” Gary “Pinkel and Coach” David “Yost,” Chuck Gabbert said. “This a decision that Tyler has come to. It’s not a knee-jerk reaction. It’s a very long thought-out process that Ty went through in evaluating what he wants to do in his football career. Yes, he was in the midst of a quarterback battle. Nothing’s given to you and it’s a competition. And Ty feeds on that competition. But there were other factors we’re not going to get into that Ty evaluated. He just felt he wanted to make a change. He leaves behind a lot of great friends and is going into an area right now where we don’t have any idea ultimately where he’s going to play. He’s got a while to figure that out, which is great. He’s just looking forward to a fresh start.”

Gabbert has been in a battle this spring with sophomore James Franklin to succeed Blaine Gabbert, who was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 10th overall pick in last month’s NFL draft. Franklin was elevated to the top of the depth chart after a stronger performance in the Tigers’ spring game, but Missouri’s coaching staff said that the competition would re-open in August.

People can believe whatever they want and I’m sure some will suggest that Gabbert is transferring because his name isn’t currently at the top of the Tigers’ depth chart. And maybe that’s the truth, even if the Gabbert family won’t admit it.

But the bottom line is that this young man has the freedom to decide his future and if he doesn’t think that Missouri is a fit anymore, than he has the right to change his mind. Nobody outside of Gabbert and his family know why he’s making this decision and quite frankly, nobody needs to know either. Yes, it’s a blow for Missouri but this is a private matter and it should stay that way.

According to the Columbia Tribune, Gabbert is considering Arizona, Clemson, Iowa, Louisville and Wake Forest, but has yet to make a decision on which school he’d like to transfer to.

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