The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Blaine Gabbert led the Tigers to an 8-5 record in his first season as the team’s starting quarterback after throwing just 13 passes as a freshman the previous season. He completed 58.9 percent of his passes for 3,593 yards and 24 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He also rushed for 204 yards and scored three touchdowns. Teammates have noticed a change in their quarterback. The quiet kid who was once in the background is now front and center telling his teammates what they need to do and setting the pace for the football team. “He’s become more of a leader,” senior running back Derrick Washington said. “Last year was his first year starting. He was quiet, but toward the end of the season he became more vocal, getting in guys, letting them know what they needed to do. He showed it in the spring. He