The Florida Gators continue to work masterfully in the NCAA transfer portal because they have already landed several former five-star recruits this way. Their latest victory on the Transfer Portal is a former five-star recruiter from the 2020 class and former LSU Tiger Arik Gilbert. This addition is big in the fact that Florida has shown the close position in their violation with the Mackey Award winner in 2020 Kyle Pitts. The award is given to college football’s best tighthead. With Pitts at the helm of the 2021 NFL draft, the Gators will bring another elite end to the kraal in his absence. Florida’s washbasin coach Tim Brewster was instrumental in adding this elite piece to the puzzle.
Gilbert shared the news of his comments via his Twitter account on Sunday.
“After careful consideration, I decided to commit to the University of Florida. This is the best situation for me and I am excited to join the family. ‘
Gilbert enters the NCAA transfer portal on Jan. 5 after moving in during the Tigers 2020 season. In eight games (it all starts) in the 2020 season, the Marietta, Ga. Native and 2020 National High School Gatorade Player of the Year caught 35 passes for 368 yards (10.5 average) and two touchdowns. In December, Geaux247 reported that Gilbert considered leaving LSU and missed Monday’s practice this week. Sources suggested that Gilbert was homesick and that he would likely return to Georgia for the rest of the semester, despite the Tigers’ head coach. Ed Orgeronand his staff’s best efforts to retain the talented blue chip. Eventually he entered the portal and now he will work with Dan Mullen and co.
The Gators also turn tight Kemore Gamble, Keon Zipperer, en Jonathan Odom last years team. The Gators also scored some solid points in the 2021 four-star cycle Gage Wilcox and three-star Nick Elksnis. The Gators saw Elksnis enter Gainesville early on.
Below is 247Sport High School Player Evaluation on Gilbert:
Long-legged, muscular, v-shaped athlete with a frame that can continue to add lean mass naturally. Rare body. Has played both sides of the ball for his high school and delivers consistent effort in every role. It does not bring the corresponding ability to the close position with size and athletics. Can play attached, as a wide receiver or as a ‘moving’ tighthead. Adequate hand and ball skills that have gradually improved over the course of the HS career. Can sink hips and change directions as a trail runner with skill in the receiver. Catches in traffic effectively. Very competitive. Has an elite-verified combination of athletics. At first, he looked like a higher prospect at the defensive level, but honed his attacking skill to become one of the most unique prospects in years. The best prospect we’ve seen since OJ Howard. Power five-impact player on either side of the ball with the NFL draft upside down in the first round.
The 247Sports Composite, an average generated in the industry, named Gilbert as the nation’s biggest prospect in the 2020 recruiting class and the no. 1 in 2020’s class.