LSU Commit ‘20 Arik Gilbert (TE) Highlights and Evaluation
More than a handful of experts consider Arik the best big skill player in the ℅ 2020. He defines what it means to be a football player. A gigantic human that moves a lot faster than he should be able to.
He’s more than just a tight end you can split it out wide. Leading this new hyper-athletic generation of tight ends, Arik is a threat lined up literally anywhere on the field, as well as a nightmare matchup against the vast majority of defensive players.
He runs like a wide receiver, with incredible straight-line speed. He ran a 4.7 forty at a cool 250 pounds as a junior in high school. Imagine when he starts playing football full-time in college. You put an athlete like that in a solid D1 weight room for a few years, you’ll shave .3 seconds off that forty in no time; Hello 4.4 tight ends.
Here’s what makes Arik such a special player, and will likely be a program-altering talent at the collegiate level.
Strengths
Versatility - He’s seen success when lined up at traditional tight end, in the slot, split out wide, and even in the backfield. He consistently plays hard from all positions and looks comfortable anywhere on the field.
Size/Speed - His speed helps his deep threat potential, and his high point is so much higher than the DB’s, it's no wonder why they target him on those deep routes so much.
Vision - YAC for tight ends, especially at the high school level, is an afterthought in most coaches' minds. But Arik is perhaps the most polished ball carrier in the 2020 tight end class.
He can spin, cut, stiff arm, all after running a 12-yard dig met immediately by a MLB looking for crossers. He’s about as good of a ball carrier as you’re ever going to find at tight end.
LSU Recruiting
It would be dumb to ignore the hype around LSU when considering the timing of the decision. Additionally, LSU's change in offensive scheme from power to spread makes it an even more attractive home for offensive playmakers.
As if LSU needs more talent.
