## **ESPN BREAKING: Blaine Gabbert Returns to Missouri Tigers, Sparking Excitement Among Fans and Alumni**
**By ESPN College Football Reporter | May 7, 2025**
In a major announcement that has electrified the college football world and delighted the Missouri Tigers faithful, **Blaine Gabbert**, the former star quarterback and first-round NFL Draft pick, is officially returning to the **University of Missouri football program**. Missouri Athletics confirmed the news Tuesday morning, calling it a “full-circle moment” for one of the school’s most accomplished alumni.
This marks Gabbert’s **first formal return** to the Mizzou program since he left for the NFL following the 2010 season. The decision to rejoin the Tigers, albeit in a new role, has sparked an outpouring of enthusiasm from fans, alumni, and former teammates alike.
### A New Role: Offensive Analyst and Quarterback Mentor
Gabbert, now 35, will join the program as an **Offensive Analyst and Quarterback Mentor**, working closely with Missouri’s offensive staff and quarterbacks. In this capacity, he will assist in game planning, film analysis, and player development — bringing with him over a decade of professional experience.
> “It’s an incredible honor to return to Columbia,” Gabbert said during a press conference at Faurot Field. “This place helped shape me as a player and as a man. Now it’s time to give back and help mold the next generation of Tigers.”
Missouri Head Coach **Eliah Drinkwitz**, who’s led the program since 2020, emphasized the strategic importance of Gabbert’s return.
> “Blaine has lived it — college success, NFL pressure, big-stage moments. His insight will be invaluable to our quarterbacks,” Drinkwitz said. “But more importantly, his leadership and love for Mizzou will be contagious.”
### From Columbia to the Pros — And Back Again
Gabbert starred for Missouri from 2008 to 2010, leading the Tigers to back-to-back winning seasons and a 10-3 finish in his final year. Known for his strong arm and pocket presence, he threw for over **6,800 yards and 40 touchdowns** during his college career. In 2011, he was selected **10th overall** in the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
His professional journey spanned **12 seasons**, with stops in Jacksonville, San Francisco, Arizona, Tampa Bay, and Kansas City. Though he never became a full-time NFL starter, Gabbert was widely respected as a dependable veteran backup and was part of the **Super Bowl LV-winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers** team in 2021.
Throughout his NFL tenure, Gabbert remained closely connected to Missouri, regularly attending alumni events and mentoring players from afar.
> “It’s always been in the back of my mind — coming home to Mizzou when the time was right,” he said. “Now feels like the perfect moment.”
### Immediate Impact on the Tigers’ Program
Gabbert’s return is expected to provide a major boost for Missouri’s offense heading into the 2025 season. The Tigers are coming off a 9-4 season and a bowl win, with rising junior quarterback **Caleb Watson** set to lead the team.
Watson, speaking to local media after practice, couldn’t hide his excitement.
> “Blaine Gabbert? Are you kidding me? That’s a guy I watched growing up,” Watson said. “To now have him in the meeting room, helping us prepare — it’s surreal.”
Offensive coordinator **Kirby Moore** echoed the sentiment.
> “What Blaine brings is more than just X’s and O’s. He brings the poise, the professionalism, and the passion that only someone who’s played at the highest level can offer.”
Gabbert will also work closely with Missouri’s recruiting staff, helping to pitch the program to prospective quarterbacks and offensive talent — something that could give the Tigers a significant edge in future recruiting cycles.
### Fans and Alumni React: “A Tiger Forever”
The reaction from Mizzou Nation was swift and overwhelmingly positive. Social media lit up with welcome messages and highlight clips from Gabbert’s time in black and gold.
> “A true son returns!” one alumnus tweeted. “This is what Missouri football is all about — loyalty, family, legacy.”
Missouri Athletics also released a hype video featuring Gabbert’s career highlights intercut with current team footage, set to a voiceover from the quarterback himself:
> “From Faurot Field to the NFL and back again — once a Tiger, always a Tiger.”
The video racked up over 2 million views within hours.
### Looking Ahead: A Culture Move as Much as a Football Move
Gabbert’s return comes amid a broader push by the Missouri program to **reconnect with its storied past while building for the future**. In recent years, several former players have returned in advisory or development roles, but Gabbert is by far the most high-profile.
Athletic Director **Desiree Reed-Francois** described the move as a cultural investment.
> “Blaine Gabbert is a model of what we want our student-athletes to become — driven, accountable, and proud of their roots,” she said. “Bringing him back into the program isn’t just about football. It’s about identity.”
While Gabbert has made it clear he’s not pursuing a head coaching career at this time, insiders believe this role could be a stepping stone to bigger responsibilities down the line.
> “Let’s see how this year goes,” Gabbert said with a smile when asked about future coaching plans. “Right now, I’m just excited to help any way I can.”
### The Legacy Continues
As Missouri sets its sights on the 2025 season opener against Iowa State, Blaine Gabbert’s presence on the sidelines promises to inject fresh energy into the program. More than just a familiar face, he’s a symbol of the pride, potential, and promise that Missouri Football continues to cultivate.
> “Coming back here,” Gabbert said, “feels like I never left. And I’m ready to go to work.”
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