Countdown to Camp: Quarterback preview

Over the next couple of weeks, PowerMizzou.com will get Tiger fans set for fall camp with an in-depth breakdown at every position. We will outline the likely starters headed into fall camp, highlight a few backups who could challenge for a job, and set the scene with the major camp storylines at each spot. This will be a special free series on the site, every day for the next ten days. Today, we look at the quarterbacks:

The Starter: Blaine Gabbert has the job locked up certainly after a sophomore season in which threw for 3,593 yards and 24 touchdowns. Gabbert's season was marred by an ankle injury and ended with a thud in the Texas bowl, but overall, his first year as a starter compared favorably with that of Chase Daniel.

The Backups: True freshman James Franklin made it to campus for spring ball in what should have been his final semester of high school and rose to No. 2 on the depth chart by the

Black and Gold game. Jimmy Costello was the backup last year, but has slipped behind Franklin. Ashton Glaser had a solid spring, but has ground to makeup in the fall and Tyler Gabbert seems likely headed for a redshirt.

The Top Story: Last season, Missouri had no options when Gabbert was hurt. Even though he was clearly limited, Gabbert took every meaningful snap. The goal this year is to have someone ready to play if Gabbert is hurt again. Franklin looked good in the spring for a kid who wasn't even supposed to be in college yet, but he'll still need to make strides in the fall to prove he can be the guy who is one snap from seeing action. Can Costello or Glaser make a meaningful push at the job? If not, what is the future at the position? Camp becomes even more meaningful with the possibility of Gabbert going pro at the end of the year. The backup this year could very well be the 2011 starter.

Nobody covers the Tigers year-round like PowerMizzou.com. We will preview fall camp with daily stories leading up to the first practice on August 5th. If you are not yet a member, just try out our free seven-day trial.