Sunday evening, tight end Arik Gilbert announced on his personal twitter account that he would be transferring to the University of Florida in advance of the 2021 football season. Gilbert, who played for the ill-fated Louisiana State last year, entered the transfer portal after the conclusion of the 2020 season.
One of the nation’s top prospects a year ago, Gilbert overtook Greg Olsen as the highest-rated tight end recruit in the history of 247Sports’ player catalog. In their final ranking of the 2020 class, he ranked fifth in the nation. The service offered an absolutely glowing report in advance of his enrollment at LSU, giving him well above average marks for his athleticism, frame, size, point of attack, mismatch ability, route running, and catch radius.
JUST IN 📰: 5 ⭐️ LSU transfer Arik Gilbert has committed to Florida.
The 6'5” 250 pound TE was the No. 1 TE prospect in the class of 2020 according to @247Sports. pic.twitter.com/NPfspwf0qz
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) January 31, 2021
It’s not just 247Sports who holds a high opinion of Gilbert. Mike Farrell, the National Recruiting Director at Rivals.com, dropped a Kyle Pitts comparison when Gilbert entered the portal. “He’ll be an instant difference maker if used properly,” added Farrell. “He’s a freak of nature.”
The Gators are presumably planning to use him in the passing attack in 2021. Head coach Dan Mullen proved over the course of Pitts’ tenure that he’s willing and able to scheme effectively for unique tight ends. Pitts was reportedly a major factor in Florida’s recruitment of Gilbert, and spoke to him on multiple occasions.
NEXT: What 247Sports had to say about Gilbert