Arik Gilbert was released from Florida and re-entered the transfer portal after leaving LSU for the first time. Where could the former 5-star end now?
Former 5-star tight end Arik Gilbert is back on the move. The No. 5 players in 2020 recruitment class after the 247Sport CompositeGilbert entered the transfer portal after his first season at LSU, during which he caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns, reportedly from homesickness.
Despite these reports, he made his decision to join the Florida Gators program under head coach Dan Mullen. But almost two months after his first decision to travel to Gainesville, the native of Marietta, GA, changes again and enters his name again on the portal.
Gilbert also noted that he would not announce his decision on where to move to until he was enrolled in his new school:
I have decided to withdraw from the University of Florida and re-enter the portal. I will not announce my final decision until I am enrolled in school and on campus.
– AG2 (@arik_gilbert) February 28, 2021
While we may have to wait a bit to find out where the narrow end of his talents is going, we can take what we know and guess where it will end up. Let’s look at three possible transfer targets for Arik Gilbert.
Arik Gilbert Transfer Target # 3: Clemson Tigers
During his first recruitment, Gilbert made seven unofficial visits to Clemson. Less than two hours from Marietta so that he would be close to home, the location of Dabo Swinney’s program would make sense. And of course the success the team had in the era of college football playoffs.
With DJ Uiagalelei taking over Trevor Lawrence, there’s a notable gap in terms of passport catchers on the Clemson roster. Gilbert has an easy way to get not only snap shots but many targets on the Tigers’ offensive as well. All of this distinguishes the program as an ideal possible transfer landing site.
Arik Gilbert Transfer Destination # 2: Alabama Crimson Tide
Nick Saban and the Alabama staff don’t have much of a problem recruiting high-end talent themselves, but they missed Gilbert on their first recruitment even if they were finalists. But much like former Tennessee linebacker Henry To’oto’o, they could get a second bang against an elite young player who could offer a ton of help.
As with Clemson, Crimson Tide is headed by former 5-star recruit Bryce Young at Quarterback. However, the recent number of elite recipients could take a small step back. That said, they could use a reliable and dangerous ending like Gilbert to step into combat and devour valuable targets of the dynamic young signaler.
Arik Gilbert Transfer Target # 1: Georgia Bulldogs
When Gilbert initially got involved with LSU it came as a shock to the believers in Athens as the Georgia Bulldogs were the favorites throughout the process for landing the Marietta native and keeping him 1.5 hours from home . And it would be a big boom for JT Daniels and the Dawgs to have another opportunity to bring Gilbert in and actually hold the landing this time.
At the end of last season, Georgia began opening the offensive with Daniels and one of the best passing trap corps the Bulldogs have seen in recent years. Gilbert would only make the offense more explosive and stronger. If you toss him into that mix while keeping him in his home state, the Dawgs are the most obvious transfer target.
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