Arik Gilbert Named Gatorade National Player of the Year
Arik Gilbert's star is shining bright.
The Marietta (Ga.) tight end talent has put together quite the week, winning a state championship, being named an SI All-American and being named the 2019-20 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year in the span of a few days.
The latest honor came on Tuesday, a day before he will sign with LSU, as Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan delivered the news to the 6-foot-5, 255-pound senior at Marietta High.
"I'm just speechless, honestly," Gilbert told SI via Skype. "I never imagined I'd win something like this but now that I have it, I'm really thankful and grateful...
"As a player I think I have a unique skill set, you don't see guys my size playing wide receiver."
The rest of the week won't be bad for Gilbert, who capped his prep career with a 1,700-yard season, as he is set to sign with LSU on Wednesday. The decision to play for the Tigers came with a lot of surprise in October given his location in the Atlanta area and Georgia's apparent push. Alabama may have been the perceived favorite headed into the commitment.
"LSU's culture is unmatched," he said. "Their new coaching staff has something really special going on and I think I fit in perfectly with that.
"It was the right decision for me."
Gilbert, who hauled in 101 passes in 2019 and matched his junior season total of 14 touchdowns, is a December high school graduate and is expected to enroll at LSU in January.