Garrett Gilbert, highly-touted UT quarterback commit from Lake Travis, was selected by ESPN RISE for the 2008 ELITE 11 quarterback event.  As you can probably guess, there were only ten other quarterbacks from around the country who were picked to participate.  One absence notable to Texas fans and recruitniks?  Russell Shepard, current LSU commit, about whom a tempest of debate has raged among fans as to the intelligence of Mack Brown's decision to offer him only as an athlete.  While that decision certainly won't be vindicated (if it ever does) until Shepard takes the field for the Tigers, Texas fans can take heart in their program's ability to evaluate prospects, in this case Gilbert.

Now, on to the analysis:

Garrett Gilbert, 6-4, 195 lbs., Austin (Texas) Lake Travis

A record-setting Texan with tremendous pocket-passing ability and deceptive athleticism. He emerged as a rising junior when he threw for 2,859 yards and 30 touchdowns and impressed on the Nike Camp and EA SPORTS Elite 11 regional tour. He's showed not only great skill but also intangibles and toughness last fall, leading his team to a state title despite suffering a shoulder early in the season that required surgery in the off-season. Despite not even turning 17 yet, is a confident, versatile and productive performer who set Texas state records last fall and should only get better as he matures. Son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert. Committed to Texas way back in February over Texas A&M, Nebraska and a host of others.

2007 Stats: 359 of 555 passing for 4,826 yards and 52 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in 16 games and rushed for 400 yards and six scores.

Just gazing over the statistics for the other quarterbacks, only one came close to the production in yards that Gilbert did.  However, Gilbert did attempt about two hundred more passes than anyone else, as well.  I don't have the time right now, but looking at the stats on that page, I'm sure somewhere can dig a little bit more deeply into yards per attempt categories that will be more informative than the raw numbers.  All in all, it seems like this only reinforces the notion that the quarterback position will be in good shape with Gilbert under center for years.