The Savannah State Tigers pull off the most shocking pickup of the offseason, attracting a former FBS national championship tight end from the transfer portal.
Following stints at LSU, Georgia, and most recently Nebraska, former five-star recruit Arik Gilbert makes his way to the SIAC.
Gilbert’s college career began at LSU in 2020, where he had his best collegiate season to date. He recorded 35 receptions for 368 yards and two touchdowns in eight games.
He entered the transfer portal after his freshman season, committing to Georgia after initially deciding on the University of Florida.
The five-star recruit did not suit up for Georgia until 2022, playing three seasons for a team that went on to win a second straight College Football Playoff National Championship.
Gilbert appeared in three games, including a contest against Vanderbilt in which he caught two passes for 16 yards and a touchdown.
Although Gilbert would eventually transfer to Nebraska following the 2022 season, he did not play a game with the team, with personal issues preventing him from seeing the field.
He returns to his home state, where he was the Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Marietta High School and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated with women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers.
Gilbert joins a Savannah State team that improved its record from 2-8 the previous year to 5-5 in the 2024 season.
