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Leaving LSU? Freshman tight end Arik Gilbert updates his status after opting out
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One of the best young players on LSU’s roster just took a step towards leaving Ed Orgeron’s program.
When freshman tight end Arik Gilbert made the decision to opt-out of LSU’s season before it ended, many assumed the Georgia native would not be returning to Baton Rouge. While Gilbert could play for LSU in 2021, he just updated his status and it’s not great news for the Tigers.
“I’d like to announce that I’m verbally entering the transfer portal. I’d like to think god for all the blessings he bestows upon me,” Gilbert shared on Saturday.
It should be noted that players are permitted to enter the transfer portal and still return to their original school, so LSU may have a chance to keep Gilbert.
The true freshman caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers this season, in eight games.
Gilbert is from Marietta, Ga., and was rated as a five-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting cycle. While Alabama and Georgia were the perceived favorites in Gilbert’s recruitment, he surprisingly announced his pledge to LSU during his commitment ceremony.
Gilbert later signed and enrolled early with LSU.
His decision to opt-out at LSU has led many to speculate that Gilbert will be headed to Kirby Smart’s Georgia program but it’s safe to expect every major program in the nation to reach out to Gilbert now that he’s in the NCAA transfer portal.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
