MIAMI NOTEBOOK

Gabbert healthy and ready for season opener

By MIKE SMITH
As I was walking around Ford Field snapping photos in the immediate aftermath of Miami's title-winning victory over Toledo last December, I turned to see MU quarterback Brett Gabbert on a pair of crutches. He appeared a mixture of emotions, and who could blame him?

His Miami RedHawks had just won a championship and avenged an earlier loss to Toledo. The latter was a loss on the scoreboard and a loss on the roster. Gabbert, who sustained a severe leg injury, was lost for the season -- perhaps longer!

Yes, perhaps longer. Things seemed to go well during the ensuing operation, but what follows his type of injury is a long, difficult and ... uncertain journey. 

While addressing the press . . .

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Brett Gabbert said he "turned the corner" in July and was able to have a good fall camp. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . Monday, a healthy Gabbert conceded, "There was probably a couple months there where I didn't think I was going to play again." 

"Trust the process!" It's is an easy thing to say and harder thing to do. However, you must buy in as much as possible.

Even as the rehab progressed, Gabbert said he wasn't sure about his participation status for fall camp ... or Week One. Then, "there was a period in July where I kind of turned the corner and started to feel back to 100 percent healthy."

That allowed for a good camp, and "now I'm ready to go," said Gabbert, who also missed most of 2023 with different injuries.

Like many college athletes, his memories include how it all began. That was a 2019 Miami opener against another Big Ten team. "You're just so excited to be a college football player, and then you end up starting at Iowa," he said. "This year will be up there with Year One in regard to how special it is."

Gabbert earned MAC Freshman of the Year honors and Miami won a MAC title with a strong 2019 campaign. The sixth-year player would no doubt like to finish with another strong year. Opening with a win over Northwestern would be a nice first step to that end. 

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Northwestern is "a really good Big 10 team, and we're going to have to play very well," Gabbert said. However, "It's more so just about us -- making sure we're ready  to go -- knowing our assignments (and) doing our job each and every play." 

Tight end Jack Coldiron missed almost all of 2023 but was atop Miami's depth chart for Week One. His veteran availability would be a plus for MU's offense. (MU Athletics)

MORE . . . 

>>> Asked about the loss (and replacement) of several key contributors to last year's offense, Gabbert said, "We've got some new players (but) they've done a phenomenal job learning the playbook and (working) with the quarterbacks." 

>>> Gabbert was asked how transfers might affect the offense, which lost standouts Gage Larvadain (WR) and Rashad Amos (RB). "I don't think the offense is going to change too much in regard to scheme, but there are going to be some thngs we have to change just because of Northwestern's defense." 

>>> Cade McDonald and Javon Tracy are familar targets for Gabbert. However, transfers and younger players are also scattered about the two-deep. Fortunately, Gabbert's full availability in camp allowed him to develop solid chemistry with the group. "We definitely have the chemistry going."  

>>> Another tantalizing target for Gabbert could be tight end Jack Coldiron. The fifth-year senior suffered a season-ending injury in last year's opener at Miami (Fla). During Monday's presser, Miami Head Coach Chuck Martin praised Coldiron's versatility and value. 

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