LSU Football: The hype for Tigers true freshman is officially out of control

LSU football signed tight end Arik Gilbert during the 2020 recruiting cycle.

The hype was always going to be insane for LSU football tight end Arik Gilbert in Baton Rouge.

Gilbert signed with the Tigers during the 2020 recruiting cycle as a five-star tight end who was rated in 247Sports’ composite rankings as the No. 5 overall recruit in the nation.

Fast, athletic, big, and a great pass catcher. Those are abilities that can’t be taught. And Gilbert is elite in all of those areas.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that the Gilbert hype train has officially left the station. Though I’m not sure anyone saw this much hype this early happening.

LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron is giddy over Arik Gilbert

Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron couldn’t stop praising Gilbert on Tuesday during a media session with reporters.

“He’s the type of tight end we’ve been looking for, he can stretch the field. We want him to learn to the tight end position first then we may move him to the slot or outside,” explained Orgeron.

Coach O also mentioned that Gilbert “blew by” a mike linebacker on Monday for a deep touchdown (via Tiger Details).

Gilbert is performing so well already that LSU is completely changing how they use their tight ends.

Orgeron said on Tuesday that the Tigers no longer view their tight ends as blockers. Instead, they view them as receivers.

Good luck to opposing defenses is all I have to say. I can’t imagine trying to cover Gilbert. He’s too fast for a linebacker to cover and he’s too big for a defensive back to cover.

And that has to make redshirt junior quarterback Myles Brennan the happiest man in the SEC.