LSU 5-Star True Freshman TE Arik Gilbert Starts Transfer Process
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Add another hot commodity to the NCAA Transfer Portal with Class of 2020 5-Star tight end Arik Gilbert leaving LSU.
Playing in eight games during his true freshman season, Gilbert was a go-to option for three different starting LSU quarterbacks during the 2020 college football schedule; Myles Brennan, TJ Finley, and Max Johnson. Gilbert ended the year third on the Tigers’ roster in receptions (35) and fourth in yards (368) with two receiving touchdowns.
The Tigers had the nation’s fourth rated 2020 recruiting class landing three 5-Star recruits and 13 4-Star prospects. Gilbert was a big part of that ranking success rated as the No. 1 player in Georgia, the top-ranked tight end in the nation, and the fifth-best overall prospect in his class.
Speculation on Gilbert leaving LSU has been rampant after he opted out of the season on Dec. 9 following a 55-17 home loss to No. 1 Alabama. Gilbert notified the LSU fanbase with a departing tweet, “After careful consideration and collaboration with my family I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal. I’d like to thank god [sic] for bestowing his blessings upon me.”
During his senior season, Gilbert was reported to have 26 scholarship offers from teams all over the country including Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, USC, and home state powerhouse Georgia.
Photo credit: The Daily Advertiser; No. 2 Arik Gilbert vs. Auburn (2020)