First Look At Arik Gilbert: What To Expect?

Tight finish Arik Gilbert’s title has circulated in Georgia circles for the final 4 years. Gilbert hails from Marietta, Georgia, and attended highschool ninety minutes from Athens.

He compiled a adorned profession for the Marietta Blue Devils, amassing 3,640 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns throughout his varsity profession. Gilbert rounded out his prep years by successful a state championship and being named the Gatorade Nationwide Participant of the 12 months.

Georgia fought onerous to land his providers out of highschool, making him their considered one of their sole priorities on the tight finish place. Tight ends coach Todd Hartley typically does not miss on prospects when recruiting, however this was the lone exception.

LSU gained Gilbert’s providers partly due to its historic offensive success in the course of the 2019 season. Quarterback Joe Burrow gained the Heisman Trophy, and the Tigers rolled over something of their path.

Sadly for the Tigers, the personnel was primarily chargeable for that dominance. Many contributors departed following the 2019 season, leaving LSU depleted and underwhelming.

Gilbert discovered the sector throughout his true freshman season, hauling in 35 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns. He was their unquestioned No. 1 possibility heading into the 2020 season, however he selected to enter his title into the switch portal.

His second recruiting course of turned fairly hectic, as he pledged his providers to the Florida Gators on social media earlier than rapidly re-opening his recruitment. His dalliance with the Gators was temporary, however Georgia continued to struggle throughout that point to make sure they’d a fighter’s likelihood ought to something occur.

Their pitch ultimately satisfied the previous five-star, and he selected to return dwelling and signal with the Bulldogs. The transfer made followers salivate on the potential of the Georgia offense; nonetheless, Gilbert would not see the sector in the course of the 2021 season.

Information broke in the course of the summer time that Gilbert was now not with the group as he was coping with private issues. That state of affairs saved him away from the soccer discipline for the complete 12 months, and followers started to ponder when he would return.

After going quiet for a whole season, he returned to the group in January, reportedly weighing round 300 kilos, together with needing to refine his physique and on-field abilities.

Head coach Kirby Sensible tried to mood expectations, explaining the group was enthralled to have Gilbert again, however he had a methods to go earlier than discovering the sector.

Regardless of Sensible’s finest efforts, the hype started to mount. Gilbert is a particular athlete able to remodeling his physique in a matter of months, which is strictly what occurred. Throughout Georgia’s spring recreation, he seemed like his outdated self, hauling in a number of passes from quarterback Stetson Bennett together with a powerful landing. In a matter of months, he’d gotten down to close 265 kilos in accordance with sources. 

Todd Monken indicated throughout his press convention that Georgia would love be utilizing Gilbert within the slot, much like the way in which he used Bowers a 12 months in the past, although he did level out some variations between the 2.

“Nicely Arik, loads like Brock, is a singular expertise. Their ability set – Arik is little bit completely different in that Arik has huge receiver background in route-running. He is good with the ball in his fingers after the catch, whereas Brock’s background is extra get the ball in his fingers, H-Again, full-back, run after the catch. That is in all probability the distinction. In order Brock must proceed to develop his working, he is a type of guys the place you simply must get it in his fingers. And he (Brock) has higher catch radius than I believed. Arik is extra of a route-runner. He is been in that, by way of what he is developed, it is nearly like an air-raid Y” – Todd Monken

Arik presents quite a few issues for opposing defenses; his mixture of measurement and velocity are unparalleled exterior of Bowers. He ought to discover an instantaneous affect this fall in some capability, as he is just too gifted.

Followers should not anticipate Gilbert to come back out and be a world-beater. He hasn’t performed in a aggressive soccer recreation since 2020, and there could also be some rust in getting re-acquainted.

Nonetheless, he ought to flash on Saturday in some capability. Georgia appears to be extra decided to throw the ball this 12 months, which in flip results in extra targets for an elite tight finish room. 

Whereas Bowers is the de-facto No. 1 possibility, the second fiddle function is up for grabs. Vast receivers Adonai Mitchell and Ladd McConkey, working backs Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton, and Gilbert all have honest claims to that spot.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s historical past tells us one factor; he loves creating mismatches. Arik creates extra issues for defenses than any of the above candidates along with his athleticism and prowess on the catch level.

Gilbert’s return to motion has been extremely anticipated and for good cause. We’re mere days away from seeing him don the pink and black, finishing the illustrious tight finish room followers have envisioned.

You May Additionally Like:

Be part of the group:

Comply with Brooks Austin on Twitter: @BrooksAustinSI

Subscribe to our YouTube Web page HERE.

You can observe us for future protection by clicking “Comply with” on the highest right-hand nook of the web page. Additionally, be sure you like us on Fb @BulldogMaven & observe us on Twitter at @BulldogsSI.