Garrett Gilbert, QB, Orlando Apollos
Week 3 stats: 14/28, 207 yards, 1 touchdown, 7 carries, 43 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
Remember Garrett Gilbert? The pioneer for the dark ages at the University of Texas? Well, he’s back and teamed up with Steve Spurrier; a combination that has ruled the AAF for the first quarter of their inaugural season.
Garrett Gilbert and the @aafAPOLLOS respond in a major way with a touchdown strike on 4th down! Orlando is now up 15-6 late in the 3rd quarter #MEMvsORL
— PFF_XFL (@PFFXFL) February 24, 2019
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Through three games, Gilbert has accumulated seven total touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving), two successful two points conversion, 827 yards, and a 59.3-percent completion rate. If that last number scares you, don’t be afraid, Gilbert is playing with AAF talent susceptible to drops.
He’s looked calm in the pocket, taken the right steps to avoid pressure, and has the arm to push the ball downfield. Per Pro Football Focus, in a game in which the Apollo’s tried to establish the run, Gilbert had 7.4 yards per attempt and 11.4-yard depth per target in Week 3 — solid numbers against a stout Memphis Express defense.
Gilbert also added in a 21-yard rushing touchdown, which is an oddity considering his game has never been centered around being a scrambler.
Gilbert didn’t provide the eye-popping stats in Week 3 that he had in previous weeks, but he did prove that he can supplement a run game well and keep a cool head during important moments of the game. Obviously, for the Texans, Deshaun Watson is the starter, but considering Gilbert’s play in the AAF, Texas ties and NFL history the team could very well look at him as their backup quarterback. After all, a team is only as good as their backup quarterback.