Tag: Jardin Gilbert

Where does LSU’s transfer portal performance rank among SEC teams?

After taking back-to-back big transfer classes, LSU had a more measured approach this offseason.

The LSU football team suffered quite a few losses this offseason, namely [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag] on offense. While not as significant, there was quite a bit of turnover on defense, as well.

The Tigers have recruited well under coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag], but after compiling a transfer-heavy roster in his first two seasons, Kelly wasn’t as aggressive in the portal this time around, for better or worse.

There were still some key additions, headlined by receiver [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag], safety [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag] and defensive tackle [autotag]Jay’Viar Suggs[/autotag]. Still, the Tigers brought in just nine transfers while losing 27, and while many of those losses were from players who hadn’t seen significant game action, LSU’s portal performance ranks right in the middle of the SEC pack at No. 8, according to CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello.

Despite the mismatch in losses and gains, the Tigers are still positive in Marcello’s net rating gain at 1.58.

It wasn’t the most impressive transfer haul in the country, but LSU will hope that the pieces it did add paired with the expected development of players already on the roster will make up for all the transfer losses.

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What is LSU’s biggest need entering the spring transfer portal window?

The Tigers could still use some help on defense entering the second transfer portal window.

With many college football programs completing spring practice over the weekend, the spring transfer portal window is set to open on Tuesday.

SEC teams are a bit limited in who they can target during this window as spring transfers are not permitted to move within the conference. Still, LSU approaches the second window with some clear needs.

It addressed several positions of need in the first window, most notably receiver with the additions of [autotag]CJ Daniels[/autotag] and [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag]. It also has added a few defensive players like defensive lineman [autotag]Gio Paez[/autotag] and safety [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag].

Still, after an abysmal performance last season, the defense likely still needs to add some players.

On3’s Jesse Simonton assessed the biggest remaining portal need for every championship contender, and for LSU, it’s simply any help on the defensive side of the ball.

Brian Kelly is already on record that the Tigers will add defensive tackle depth when the portal opens — and that’s a must with the departure of the team’s top four interior tackles last season in Maason Smith, Mekhi Wingo, Jacobian Guillory and Jalen Lee.

But LSU’s head coach should not stop there. If the spring game was any indication (busted coverages are becoming a far too common theme with this group the last few years), Blake Baker’s unit still needs a whole lot of help in the secondary, too.

In fact, if any impact transfer defensive player — be it a pass rusher or linebacker as well, — wants to come play for the Bayou Bengals, then LSU should not turn them down. Kelly whiffed on some portal additions in the secondary last season, but he must take some swings again this spring if the Tigers hope to truly contend for a 12-team playoff spot this fall.

The Tigers face depth issues at a number of positions, particularly along the defensive line and in the secondary. However, it’s worth noting that Simonton is incorrect about the fact that Guillory and Lee have departed. Both are on the roster, though they represent the only returning depth on the interior of the defensive line.

Still, the overall assessment of the defensive roster situation is correct, and LSU will almost certainly address it. Kelly has said the Tigers are primarily looking to add defensive tackles, but perhaps they should examine other defensive transfers, as Simonton suggests.

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Transfer defensive back making an impact during spring practice

Jardin Gilbert is acclimating well to his new digs.

[autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] landed a talented defensive back out of the transfer portal for the 2024 recruiting class. [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag] is a 6-foot-1, 197-pound safety who is originally from White Castle, Louisiana, but has played for Texas A&M for the past three years.

He appeared in 25 games for the Aggies during his three years there. He played in all 12 games as a freshman and he played in 11 games as a Sophomore. He finished his sophomore season with 61 tackles and two interceptions.

Last season, he only played in two games before being sidelined for the year with a shoulder injury.

With Gilbert being back home and right across the street from where he played his high school ball, he is acclimating very well to the new coaching staff.

Kelly has had to rebuild his secondary mainly via the transfer portal for the past two seasons. Hopefully, Gilbert will help the young guns on the roster with adapting to SEC play.

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LSU officially announces three transfers additions

LSU officially announced the addition of three transfers to the team for the 2024 season on Friday.

LSU Football just officially announced the addition of three transfers to the team for the 2024 season. The Tigers announced the addition of [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag], a safety from Texas A&M, [autotag]AJ Swann[/autotag], a quarterback from Vanderbilt and [autotag]Zavion Thomas[/autotag], a wide receiver from Mississippi State.

Gilbert played in 25 games over three years for the Aggies as he made 79 tackles, two tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and two interceptions. Gilbert is from White Castle, Louisiana, so he is returning to the boot to play his final year of college football.

Swann played in 15 games for the Vanderbilt Commodores and threw for 2,731 yards. 22 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Swann will bring a lot of experience to a talented quarterback room. He will join [autotag]Garrett Nussmeier[/autotag], [autotag]Rickie Collins[/autotag] and [autotag]Colin Hurley[/autotag] in pursuit of the starting quarterback job.

Thomas is another Louisiana man who had left the state to play at another SEC school but he is now returning home. In 22 games, Thomas caught 42 passes for 507 yards and one touchdown. He made plays on special teams as well as he returned 10 kickoffs for 297 yards and a touchdown and 29 punts for 365 yards and a touchdown.

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Report: Former Aggies safety Jardin Gilbert commits to LSU ‘to be home and represent my state’

The first Aggie to enter the transfer portal in 2023 has officially found a new home as Jardin Gilbert committed to LSU on Friday afternoon.

The first Texas A&M player to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal in 2023 has officially found a new home.

According to a report from Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports, junior safety Jardin Gilbert has committed to continue his collegiate career in his home state of Louisiana for the Tigers of LSU.

“First, I am home and I need to be home and represent my state,” Gilbert told On3 Sports. “Then I would say mostly because of the coaching staff. I feel like they are mainly about developing the players to be the best players they can be. To play my last one or two years of college, why would I do it anywhere other than to come home where I belong?”

The Aggies are expected to have juniors Bryce Anderson and Jacoby Mathews as the team’s starting safeties in 2024 with sophomore Dalton Brooks at nickleback. Gilbert’s departure from College Station leaves the current Texas A&M roster with a lack of depth at defensive back.

Gilbert transfers to LSU with two years of eligibility remaining. He played in 25 games for the Aggies over three seasons. Gilbert started in 10-of-11 games for Texas A&M in 2022 and earned the “Aggie Defensive Toughness” and “Most Improved” awards.

Gilbert is a native of White Castle, La., and was a 4-star recruit and top 10 player in Louisana coming out of University Lab High School in 2021. He is listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds.

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NEW: LSU lands first transfer portal commitment from former Texas A&M safety

Jardin Gilbert, who attended University Lab in Baton Rouge, started 13 games over the last two seasons for the Aggies.

LSU has been a bit more deliberate about the portal process this time around, and the team hasn’t been as active as it was the last two offseasons. But coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] and staff made their first splash on Friday with the commitment of former Texas A&M safety [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag].

A former four-star prospect from White Castle, Louisiana, Gilbert played his high school ball at University Lab on LSU’s campus. He appeared in 12 games as a reserve his true freshman season before becoming a starter in 2022.

He began his junior season as a starter in 2023, but he lost his job following a loss to Miami in Week 2, and he would not see the field again. After taking a redshirt year, he will have two remaining years of eligibility with the Tigers.

Gilbert had 79 total tackles, two interceptions and eight passes defended in his three years in College Station.

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Texas A&M safety, Baton Rouge native enters transfer portal

Another Texas A&M player has entered the transfer portal, this time a defensive back who is from LSU’s backyard.

Another Texas A&M player has entered the transfer portal, this time it is a defensive back that is from LSU’s backyard.

Texas A&M safety [autotag]Jardin Gilbert[/autotag] has entered his name into the transfer portal. Gilbert was a four-star safety recruit out of the 2021 recruiting class. He is from Baton Rouge where he played for University Lab High School.

In three years in College Station, Gilbert appeared in 25 games and made 79 tackles. two tackles for loss, and two interceptions. His sophomore year (2022) was his best year as an Aggie. This year he has only appeared in two games and made five tackles.

We have talked at length about how Brian Kelly wants to “Recruit the Boot” and keep all of the best players from Louisiana in the state. Gilbert checks the box for one of those guys. Funny enough, the Tigers have some needs so fill in the secondary. This move makes a lot of sense for the Tigers if they were to land him. Bring him home.

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Breaking: Texas A&M safety Jardin Gilbert reportedly enters the transfer portal

The NCAA transfer portal officially opened Monday and Texas A&M junior safety Jardin Gilbert is likely on the move.

The NCAA transfer portal officially opened today and Texas A&M safety Jardin Gilbert is reportedly on the move.

According to reports, the junior entered the portal on Monday afternoon around 3:40 p.m. CT. He may be the first of two Aggies leaving College Station, along with star sophomore defensive lineman Walter Nolen who is “leaning” towards putting his name in the portal per ESPN reporter Tom VanHaaren.

Gilbert enters the portal with two years of eligibility remaining. He played in 25 games for Texas A&M over three seasons. Gilbert started in 10-of-11 games for the Aggies in 2022 and earned the “Aggie Defensive Toughness” and “Most Improved” awards.

However, he started in just two games to begin the 2023 season under former head coach Jimbo Fisher. Gilbert recorded four tackles and broke up a pass during a 52-10 season-opening win on Sept. 2 against New Mexico. The following week at Miami, he tallied one solo tackle, while missing the rest of the season due to injury.

Gilbert is a native of White Castle, La., and was a 4-star recruit and top 10 player in Louisana coming out of University Lab High School in 2021. He is listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds.

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Texas A&M HC Jimbo Fisher provided several updates during his weekly SEC Teleconference

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher’s provided multiple injury updates while previewing Auburn during his weekly SEC Teleconference

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher provided multiple updates while previewing the Aggies’ matchup with the visiting Auburn Tigers on Saturday afternoon during his ten-minute SEC Teleconference with the media on Wednesday afternoon.

Within his opening statement, Fisher continued to praise sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman’s development after throwing for 337 yards and accounting for two touchdowns with an 86.2% completion rate against UL Monroe. At the same time, the Aggies’ up-and-down defense made strides ahead of SEC play.

“(Quarterback) Conner (Weigman) is growing, making decisions and distributing the ball to different players. We ran the ball very efficiently. Defensively, we played very well and tackled well. A dominant performance there defensively. Made some really good plays.

Fisher previewed Auburn’s predominate strengths, specifically the Peyton Thorne and Robby Ashford QB duo. They will likely share snaps to throw off the Aggies defense duo to their shared duel-threat ability. On the injury front, the day’s surprise came in the form of an Instagram update from Texas A&M junior safety Jardin Gilbert, who is apparently recovering from an injury after posting a photo lying in a hospital bed just four days after missing the UL Monroe game.

In his absence, sophomore safety Jacoby Matthews stepped up in a big way, recording four tackles against the Warhawks while displaying an impressive mix of pursuit speed and excellent vision in the backfield. Fisher noted his progress and playtime going forward.

“I thought he played very solid in the game. It is great to get him back in the mix. Jacoby is a big, long, athletic guy. He can play second level and third level. He tackles well, he covers and is athletic. Getting him back into the mix is huge for us in what we are doing.

“It gives us great depth, but also a great starter there who can play, run and is also a great special teams player. Jacoby has a tremendous future in the game. Just keep doing things right, playing and developing. He can be a really, really good football player.”

One lingering injury-related query surrounding the program has been the health of starting right tackle Reuben Fatheree II, who has yet to play this season as he is still recovering from his knee injury suffered during the spring season. Credit to GigEm247 beat writer Carter Karels for asking when he might be back to full strength, leading to Fisher’s encouraging response.

“I do not know. That will be up to his development on a day-to-day, week-to-week basis we are seeing. But he is practicing well, doing well, getting better each and every day and we will see as that goes.”

Fisher also touched on the development and interesting background of sophomore guard/center Mark Nabou and discussed how the Aggies offense will continue to evolve this season, which you can read here.

Texas A&M will host the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 11:00 a.m., where it will air on ESPN.

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Look: Multiple Aggies, including star WR Evan Stewart are not dressed out ahead of Texas A&M vs. UL Monroe

Ahead of Texas A&M’s Week 3 home matchup vs. UL Monroe, staring WR Evan Stewart and cornerback Tony Grimes not dressed out ahead of kickoff.

Ahead of Texas A&M’s Week 3 home matchup vs. UL Monroe, set to kick off in less than half an hour, two key players on offense and defense for the Maroon and White, including starting wide receiver Evan Stewart, safety Jardin Gilbert and rotational cornerback Tony Grimes, are currently on the sidelines with the rest of their teammates, albeit in street clothes.

Just a week away from the start of SEC play, Auburn will travel to College Station for an early Saturday afternoon kickoff, and not to throw out any assumptions regarding both players’ health, being cautious this week to be ready for the rest of the season wouldn’t be surprising given the bevy of injuries the Aggies sustained in 2022.

On the bright side, sophomore running back Le’Veon Moss, who missed the Miami game last weekend, is dressed out, adding his powerful running style to an Aggies offense that missed his presence in the loss. Stewart, who recorded 11 receptions for 142 yards against the Hurricanes, leads the team in receiving with 257 yards and two touchdowns. Still, given the depth in the Aggies’ wide receiver rotation, his potential one-game absence shouldn’t be a major issue.

After transferring from North Carolina, Cornerback Tony Grimes has yet to carve out a role in the secondary. Gilbert, who has started at free safety since the 2022 season, did not have his best game last weekend but is still a proven secondary member. Hopefully, after resting this week, Grimes’ playing trajectory will change because Texas A&M’s defensive back group needs all the help they can get.

Update: Starting center Bryce Foster and cornerback Tyreek Chappell are also out.

Texas A&M will return to Kyle Field to take on Louisiana Monroe on Saturday, Sept. 16, as the game will air on the SEC Network at 3:00 p.m. CT.

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