senior seasons. Football events Gilbert participated in ESPN RISE's 10th anniversary Elite 11 quarterback event from July 21–24. He was one of the 11 high school quarterbacks selected out of a pool of more than a thousand. The Elite 11 played against each other and received coaching from current standout college quarterbacks. An ESPN columnist pointed out that Gilbert was the most likely player from the camp to win the college football national championship. Along with 79 other high school seniors, Gilbert played in the 2009 Under Armour All-America Game on January 4, 2009. In the nationally televised matchup, Gilbert completed 11-of-22 passes for 161 yards and an interception as he guided the Black team in its 27–16 loss to the White team. College recruitment Gilbert verbally committed to play college football for the Texas Longhorns on February 7, 2008, the day after he received the offer in the mail. He always had aspirations to play for Texas since he was a child. During his youth, he pretended to play football for the Longhorns, passing the football to himself in his living room and diving onto the couch to catch it. When he was eight, he had the chance to play catch with then-Texas quarterback Major Applewhite, whom he considered to be his idol growing up. His family members were also season ticket holders. Gilbert was rated as a five-star prospect by Rivals.com. Alongside Matt Barkley of Mater Dei High School in California, Gilbert was the premier quarterback prospect of the class of 2009. Former college head coach Jackie Sherrill called Gilbert the best quarterback he has seen since Dan Marino. Awards and honors 2007, 2008 Austin American-Statesman Player of the Year (became the first player to win the honor outright twice) 2008 Mr. Texas Football 2008 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award 2008 Texas Associated Press Sports Editors Class 4A all-state team 2008 Texas Associated Press Sports Editors Class 4A Player of the Year 2008 USA Today Offensive Player of the Year 2009 Parade All-American and Player of the Year 2008 EA Sports Mr. Football USA 2008 Built Ford Tough Class 4A Texas High School Player of the Year 2008–2009 MaxPreps Male Athlete of the Year 2009 Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year College career 2009 season It was at first thought that Gilbert would likely redshirt in 2009 and compete for the starting job