And So It Begins...

Texas lost out on the top '08 running back in nation Wednesday when Darrell Scott picked Colorado, but the sting of that loss may be soothed today when standout '09 quarterback and top Longhorn target Garrett Gilbert makes a commitment announcement at 4 p.m. at Lake Travis High School.

Garrett Gilbert photo gallery

Garrett Gilbert has been tight-lipped through the early recruiting process. After attending UT camp last summer, Gilbert told Inside Texas, "I’m focusing on my season first and trying to win a state championship. After that, I will start focusing on recruiting.”

Gilbert QBed Lake Travis to a state title last fall as a junior, and now is poised to make a recruiting decision with today's announcement.

Despite being relatively quiet through the recruiting process, Gilbert did tell Inside Texas what is important in his recruitment.

“I think (staying close to home) is an important factor,” Gilbert said. “I’m also going to look at the type of system they run and the coaching staff. A winning tradition and a clean program will also be important.”

Gilbert and Russell Shepard have been top junior targets at the quarterback position for the Texas coaches. The Horns did not sign a QB yesterday in what was a down year for signal caller talent in the Lone Star State. But with Gilbert and Shepard considered not only top talent in the state, but also among the top in the nation, Texas hoops to reel in both prospects.

The announcement comes three days before UT's first junior day, where Gilbert, Shepard and several other of the state's top prospects are expected to receive scholarship offers. Mack Brown reiterated in his Signing Day comments yesterday that Texas does not officially offer any prospects until it's previous class is officially signed, although the coaches do indicate to prospects if they plan to make an official offer. If Gilbert chooses the Horns, as expected, it will be in expectation of that official offer.