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One of the top pass catchers in the 2020 recruiting cycle appears to be on the move, as LSU tight end Arik Gilbert entered the transfer portal.
Gilbert made the announcement Saturday via his Twitter.
I would like to announce that I verbally enter the transfer portal. I would like to think of God for all the blessings he gives me.
– AG2 (@arik_gilbert) January 2, 2021
Gilbert was a 5-star rookie in the 2020 class as he was the No. 6 overall player and the state of Georgia’s highest rated player. Gilbert also holds the distinction of being the highest rated tight end in recruiting rankings history.
The freshman coach previously opted out of the 2020 season according to LSU coach Ed Orgeron.
“Arik and I had a good conversation yesterday. He told me he was stepping down, ”Orgeron said on the SEC coaches’ teleconference in December. “He said his body was aching and he had things he needed to take care of.”
News broke in December that Gilbert was considering moving. In a radio interview, Orgeron admitted that Gilbert was homesick.
Gilbert hails from Marietta, Ga., And has been one of the most productive players in recent memory. He led Marietta High School to a state championship in his senior season and was named Gatorade Player of the Year.
Georgia has been very involved in its recruitment process, as Gilbert has visited Athens on several occasions during the recruitment process. Other contenders for Gilbert’s services were Alabama, Tennessee and Clemson. The Bulldogs have signed fellow 5-star Darnell Washington in the 2020 class. Washington finished the season with seven catches for 166 yards. The Bulldogs also signed 2021 4-star tight winger Brock Bowers. He will register early in Georgia.
Gilbert explained why he didn’t choose Georgia the first time around.
“I think Georgia really did a great job recruiting me honestly,” Gilbert said in October 2019. “I just didn’t feel it.”
Related: Arik Gilbert: The Two Big Reasons He’s Leaving Georgia To Play For LSU
In his first season at LSU, Gilbert caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns, taking advantage of some of the hype surrounding him.
Those who know Gilbert well, like former Georgian wide receiver Terrence Edwards – who trained Gilbert – are delighted with his potential and his ceiling.
“I think he is who he wants to be,” Edwards said. “He can play the receiver or he’ll just be a big tight end. But I think he’ll be listed from his college days until God bless him to play in the NFL as a tight end. These days, that’s not a bad thing. Because if you watch Travis Kelce and all the tight ends in the NFL right now, I think they’re big receivers that turned out to be the size of a tight end. They are listed at the tight end. I think he will be a tight player who can split up and play the receiver.
Entering the transfer portal doesn’t mean a player is gone, but it does allow teams to communicate with players who have put their name into the portal. The NCAA is also expected to pass legislation in early 2021 that would allow a one-time transfer so that you don’t have to miss out on arrival at a new school.
The SEC had a policy in place that if you transfer within the conference, which Gilbert would do if she ended up in Alabama, Georgia, or Tennessee, you had to skip a season. But that policy has been dropped for the 2020 season, allowing players like Cade Mays and Otis Reese to play this year.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart was asked about his thoughts on the rule and Georgia’s head coach didn’t hesitate.
“It’s a really tough situation because I’m not saying that from the guys who left here – it’s not about that to me,” Smart said. “It’s about what’s best for our conference, what’s best for our programs, what’s best for football and what’s best for kids. This is why you like to talk about it, because there is no perfect or right answer. “
Georgia have already seen three players enter the transfer portal in recent weeks, as outside linebacker Jermaine Johnson, quarterback D’Wan Mathis and receivers Trey Blount and Makiya Tongue all did.
Smart gave an update ahead of the Peach Bowl on how he sees the transfer portal.
“It’s a needs base for us,” Smart said. “If I had my preference, I would rather not use the portal because schools like Cincinnati and Georgia shouldn’t have to, you should be able to recruit the right kind of guy.”
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