LSU Football: Arik Gilbert should be receiving a lot more hype
By Zach Ragan
LSU football true freshman tight end Arik Gilbert could be in for a huge 2020 season.
LSU football true freshman Arik Gilbert has the potential to be one of the best tight ends to ever play college football.
That’s not just me saying that, either. His teammates agree.
“If he continues to get better, he can be the best tight end to ever play college football,” said Tigers linebacker Jabril Cox last week (via Brody Miller).
Gilbert, who was rated as the No. 5 overall 2020 recruit in the nation, is insanely athletic for his size (6-foot-5/253 lbs). He’s essentially going to be impossible to cover.
And he’s not receiving nearly enough hype.
The LSU football true freshman should be way more hyped
Hype for college football players is generally reserved for quarterbacks. But I think Gilbert is worthy of all the hype a player like Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence receives — and then some.
It’s impossible to compare Gilbert to another football player. His skill set is too unique.
The best comparison for Gilbert that I can think of is Lebron James or Zion Williamson.
I feel like Gilbert’s rare combination of size and athleticism is comparable to James and Williamson. If Gilbert played basketball at the same level he plays football, he’d be one of the most talked-about college basketball players in the nation.
Instead, the hype for Gilbert has been mostly reserved for folks in Louisiana.
But that needs to change.
I think we’re going to see something special from Gilbert in 2020. And I’m not the only one.
The Athletic’s Brody Miller wrote on Wednesday that he wouldn’t be surprised if Gilbert finishes as the Tigers’ No. 2 pass catcher in 2020 (likely behind junior wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr). I can’t think of any other true freshmen tight ends having that type of impact on an SEC offense.
Next. Ed Orgeron was clearly over Dave Aranda. dark
Gilbert is going to be a joy to watch in 2020. He will probably go through some freshman struggles, but I have a feeling he’s going to have a few moments featured on ESPN’s top 10 plays of the week.