Just when you thought the hype for freshman tight end Arik Gilbert couldn’t get any bigger, Jabril Cox offers up the highest praise yet of the young LSU star pass-catcher.

Gilbert is certainly a tough prospect to pin down. He has the size of a tight end but the speed and the moves of a receiver.

Ed Orgeron even noted that LSU has completely changed how it plans on using tight ends in its offense after bringing Gilbert into the program.

During Cox’s first media availability as a member of the LSU program, the former FCS All-American was asked to share his early imperssion of Gilbert after matching up with him on the practice field.

When it comes to comparisons, Cox shared that he sees some Calvin Johnson in the freshman tight end.

“I’ve lined up in the slot against him a couple of times, he is a big target, fast as well,” Cox said of Gilbert. “Just my impression, right off the bat, he has kind of a Megatron-type of build. Just seeing him, you think he’s just going to try and run you over but he also has the moves to also juke you and shake you on the routes.”

Then the veteran linebacker took things to another level.

Cox is so high on Gilbert, he believes the freshman could develop into an all-time great if the necessary work is put in by the Georgia native.

“Just seeing him, the ceiling is so high. If he continues to get better, he could be the best tight end to ever play college football,” Cox added. “It’s only up to him and his hard work, but Arik Gilbert, he’s going to be a special one.”

Like we said, just when you think you’ve heard it all about Gilbert, the hype surrounding the freshman athlete down in Baton Rouge grows.

Photo credit: LSU Athletics