When Blaine Gabbert left Missouri for the NFL draft, his brother Tyler was one of the candidates to replace him as the Tigers’ starting quarterback. But now Blaine is with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the 10th pick in the draft, and Tyler isn’t competing to replace his brother -- he’s leaving Missouri.
“We wish Tyler the best and will do everything we can to assist him going forward,” said Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, via our friends at CFT. “He’s worked very hard in our program this past year, and we thank him for his efforts. Tyler is a high quality person and an outstanding football player.”
Presumably, Tyler Gabbert decided to leave because he lost the quarterback competition and wants to go somewhere that he’s the starter.
As an Illinois alum, the situation reminds me of what happened when Rashard Mendenhall left Illinois for the NFL draft. After Mendenhall left, his brother and backup Walter Mendenhall transferred from Illinois when he learned he wasn’t going to be Rashard’s successor as the starting running back.
Rashard then lashed out at Illinois and ripped its coaching staff, but I’d advise Blaine Gabbert not to make the same approach toward Missouri. If there’s one NFL player whom other players shouldn’t emulate in their public comments, it’s Rashard Mendenhall.