LSU freshman tight end Arik Gilbert became the program’s first five-star commitment at his position — and with good reason.
Gilbert joins a 2020 Tigers team that will be defending their national championship from last season, and he could be a viable part of the offense early on.
He will battle with Jamal Pettigrew for the starting role at tight end. Pettigrew is a veteran on the team, but the hype surrounding Gilbert seems to be real.
The talented freshman was the Gatorade National Player of the Year for 2019, becoming the first tight end ever to win the award.
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He caught 101 passes for 1,760 yards and averaged 117.3 yards per game with 14 touchdowns during his senior season of high school in Marietta, Georgia.
His 6-foot-5-inch, 249-pound frame gives him a big advantage over opposing defenders. Gilbert is great at catching the pass in routes, but is also stellar in the pass-blocking game.
The Tigers could use him as a crucial blocker for when quarterback Myles Brennan is in the pocket. Just like Thaddeus Moss last season, Gilbert could see valuable playing time and anywhere from two to five touchdown receptions for the season.
Arguably one of the best recruits in LSU’s 2020 class, Gilbert could quickly become one of the most important players on the offensive side of the ball this season.
It will be interesting to see how much playing time the freshman tight end earns and how the coaching staff prepares to utilize him in what could likely be another pass-heavy offensive scheme this season.
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