Reilly Gibbons gets new offers and a position change

It's been a big month for Reilly Gibbons, St. Petersburg Catholic's 6-foot-6, 250-pound rising junior.

In the past seven days he has received college scholarship offers from Rutgers and Nebraska, and Monday morning he received one from Purdue, giving him four BCS offers total (he received one last month from Tennessee).

And he also has a new position: left tackle.

Gibbons has been a tight end in high school, but there has always been debate over whether he would be better suited for tackle, given his size, smarts and footwork, and questions about his speed and potentially outgrowing the pass catching position.

Last week, St. Petersburg Catholic coach Steve Dudley met with Gibbons and his father, Shannon, to make it official. He told Gibbons he was being moved to left tackle, and it didn't take long for the Baron standout to grab the No. 1 spot there on the depth chart.

In a recent interview with the Times, Gibbons said he wants to play tight end in college "but I'll play wherever my team needs me. I'm open to everything.'' With a new offense predicated on sealing the defensive ends to allow for a stable to speedy backs, led by Ryan Green, to get around the corner, the Barons staff decided they needed him at tackle.

Gibbons will still see some time at tight end. Shannon Gibbons said his son will be issued two jerseys -- one for use when Reilly Gibbons is needed as a tight end.

While Tenneessee and Rutgers offered Gibbons as a tight end, his most recent offers from Nebraska and Purdue were to play tackle in college.

Gibbons should net a number of other offers this spring as well. His stock is rising, and a dozen or schools have expressed interest and are close to offer.

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