Gabbert, Jones to represent Missouri

SAN ANTONIO - Earlier on Sunday both Missouri commits Blaine Gabbert and Andrew Jones were in Houston trying to find each other at the airport during the layovers for their connecting flights to San Antonio.

The only problem for Jones and Gabbert was they didn't realize one was in Houston's Hobby Airport and the other was at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

It took Jones and Gabbert a few minutes to realize they were in different airports, but the good news for Tiger fans is they'll both be in Columbia the next four years. In fact, the two have built up a friendship where they not only will room together in San Antonio this week, but also at Mizzou when they move into the dorms this summer.

"Blaine and I talk just about every day," Jones said. "We tried to meet up in the airport earlier today, but we found out later he was in Hobby and I was in Bush. We were running all around looking for each other. We weren't even in the same airport."

Jones said he's already been working on Gabbert to make sure he'll be his No. 1 receiving target in this upcoming Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

"I asked Blaine right away if he's going to throw me the ball this week and he said 'yeah,'" Jones said. "I pretty much bribed him to throw it to me, so it will be fun. We'll get to play together this week and then the next four years, so it will be fun. We've got a great off-field chemistry, so we just need to build up our on field chemistry."

For Gabbert, this week's All-American Bowl will be an opportunity for him to prove to the doubters that his senior season was not an accurate picture of his true abilities as a quarterback.

Gabbert was slowed by injury for most of the season, as he hurt in his foot opening game and dislocated his shoulder in the fourth game of this season. Gabbert's shoulder injury ended up being a season ending one, so that's why he's looking forward to proving himself on Saturday.

"I'm 100 percent now," Gabbert said. "This season, I was really slowed by my injuries.

"My stats were pretty brutal this year and I know that. I'm going to bounce back, I know that. I'm just going to play and have fun."

Gabbert said he still remains 100 percent committed to Missouri and he's looking forward to running Gary Pinkel's offense in Columbia over his college career.

"I love Missouri's offense," Gabbert said. "You can throw the ball and you run it. That's what I want to do. I'm excited about what's happening at Missouri right now."