Nearly a month after Arik Gilbert announced he will be verbally entering the transfer portal, we have gotten an update. The former five-star tight end will indeed be transferring from LSU and will be heading to play with the Florida Gators.
Gilbert played in eight games for the LSU Tigers before opting-out due to injuries. He was able to record 35 catches for 368-yards and two touchdowns in those eight games. Due to a recently passed blanket waiver from the NCAA, Gilbert’s talents can be used immediately at Florida to replace Kyle Pitts.
Kyle Pitts had been in talks with Gilbert through his transfer process, and provided him plenty of reasons why Florida would be a good fit for him. Pitts was the nation’s top tight end this year, and is possibly going to be selected within the first 15 picks on the 2021 NFL Draft.
Coming in at 6’5, 249-pounds Arik was ready for college football the moment he graduated high school. In the Class of 2020 Arik Gilbert was an unanimous five-star prospect, and the best player in the state of Georgia. He was the No. 5 overall recruit according to 247Sports, and received 26 D1 offers while playing at Marietta High School.
It is no surprise that Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs were heavy favorites during his recruitment. He also visited Texas A&M though they weren’t ever really mentioned as contenders to land him as a transfer. Gilbert will get to return to Baton Rouge in October as the Florida Gators are currently scheduled to play there October 16th.
