When the LSU Tigers landed five-star tight end Arik Gilbert in the 2020 recruiting class, it was viewed as a major coup for head coach Ed Orgeron and his staff.
Gilbert, a 6-foot-5, 249-pounder from Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia, is the highest-rated tight end in the history of 247Sports.
On Monday, Billy Embody of 247Sports reported Gilbert is considering leaving LSU and missed Monday’s practice.
Brody Miller of The Athletic reported that Gilbert has been homesick since arriving in Baton Rouge, and the Tigers are fighting to keep him.
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Losing Gilbert would be a massive blow for the Tigers for various reasons.
One, he is the most talented player on LSU’s struggling offense.
It would also be a bad look if your top recruit from one year ago wants out before his first full season.
LSU’s struggles on the field this year probably don’t help things either. The Tigers lost starting quarterback Myles Brennan early in the season and have had to rely on a pair of freshman quarterbacks in TJ Finley and Max Johnson.
Gilbert is second on the team with 35 receptions for 368 yards this season. He has also scored two touchdowns.
LSU is set to face No. 6 Florida this weekend.
#LSU star freshman Arik Gilbert is heavily considering leaving LSU and missed practice today, sources tell The Athletic. @247Sports first to report.
Gilbert has been homesick since he arrived, sources say, and LSU is currently fighting to keep him.
— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) December 8, 2020
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