Ulysees Gilbert’s rookie season didn’t go as he hoped. The linebacker suffered an unfortunate back injury that abruptly ended what was shaping up to be a successful first season.
The Akron product was drafted by the Steelers with the third of their three sixth-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. Gilbert made quite an impact in the preseason and earned a spot on the team’s 53-man roster as the fifth inside linebacker in a corps flush with 10 total LBs.
But three of them — Mark Barron, Anthony Chickillo, Tyler Matakevich — are no longer with the Steelers.
“They are great guys who played a big role in my beginnings in Pittsburgh. It’s nothing but love for them,” said Gilbert.
“I’m just excited for this year and for the chances I could have. I’m preparing for that time my name is called. Whenever that is, I’ll be ready.”
The Steelers prefer to usher in their late-round selections via special teams, so Gilbert did not log a defensive snap in 2019. But the departures of Barron, Matakevich, and Chickillo pave the way for Gilbert to play an important rotational role on defense in 2020.
Prior to his injury, Gilbert was making a name for himself on special teams. In seven games, he led the ST unit in snaps with 150 and posted five tackles. But the linebacker had been dealing with a nagging back issue since college and said things just got worse when he came into the league. Gilbert toughed it out for as long as he could, but when tests revealed a fractured L5 vertebra in his spinal cord, he was placed on injured reserve on November 5th.
“It was very disappointing and upsetting,” said Gilbert. “At the end of the day, I’m a firm believer in God, and that was his plan for me. I got some positives out of it. I’m healthier now and blessed to be in this position to come back.”
At Akron, Gilbert tied a record for most games played (51), so being unable to play was foreign to him. “It was the first time since playing football that I had an injury that cut my season short,” Gilbert explained. “Being away from football was something I wasn’t used to, but my faith and family and friends helped me push through and be positive.”
In the pre-COVID-19 world, Gilbert was rehabbing with the Steelers’ strength and conditioning staff at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Now, with team facilities still closed to players, he’s back home in Ocala, Fla. continuing his therapy and training.
Gilbert is working with sports performance trainer Tony McCall. “Tony’s a great trainer,” said Gilbert. “He’s been giving us a lot of work with different workouts set up — weight room, cardio, football-associated drills, everything.”
From four days a week with McCall to the workouts Steelers conditioning coordinator Garrett Giemont sends Gilbert, he said he’s getting better and better with each day. “I feel very conditioned and in shape. I’m going to be ready when it comes time to play football.”
It’s clear that Gilbert is determined, and focused on the season that lies ahead.
Gilbert also has a hunger for growth and knowledge. He believes the key to being the best player he can is never to get too complacent. His speed, ability to cover, and move well in space turned heads in training camp last year, and he knows he can only keep improving. Gilbert said he’s working on continuing to use his hands and being more physical. He wants to get better in every aspect of his game including kickoff return coverage and blocking on special teams.
“I’m not a rookie anymore, so I can’t make rookie mistakes — it’s not accepted,” he said. “It’s all about making that second-year jump that Coach T. always talks about. I want to grow from my rookie year in every way possible and be there for anything the team needs me to do on defense and special teams,” he said.
“I’m going to do the best I can, continue to learn each day, and ask questions. I feel like I have a good head on my shoulders to make that possible. I want to be a great teammate and a great student of the game for the coaches to show them I can be a guy they can use wherever they please.”