Brock Bowers defends Arik Gilbert amid lack of playing time

Being one of the nation’s most coveted prospects in one of the best tight end rooms in America can be a double-edged sword at times. On one hand, you’re certainly deserving to be there and you’re clearly one of the most freakish athletes in the country at your position. On the other hand, plenty of fans and media will start to ask questions when you don’t get that much playing time. Such is the life right now for current Georgia Bulldogs tight end Arik Gilbert, who is still getting up to speed on the Bulldogs’ offensive scheme. Georgia’s tight end room is one of the most stacked the sport has seen in quite some time, but Bulldogs star Brock Bowers recently said in his recent press conference that Gilbert is trying to learn the nuances of the offense.

You can read the transcribed version below or listen to the audio clip in the video from 4:01-4:35.

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“Yeah, I mean, it’s just trying to get the new offense down and just trying to learn it. Just learn all the little things. There are a bunch of little things that are a little bit challenging to learn,” Bowers said.

Gilbert dominated Georgia’s spring game, hauling in three catches for 49 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end showcased why he’s such a tantalizing prospect and precisely why he was rated as the No. 1 tight end in America, according to the On3 Consensus Rankings for the 2020 cycle.

You can read the transcribed version below or listen to the audio clip from 7:30 to 8:00 above.

“It’s easy to understand fans’ eagerness and excitement to want to watch him play. But Bowers said the gifted tight end has been working hard in practice and he’s confident Gilbert will be ready when his number is called. “Yeah, I mean, everyone’s been working at practice. They’re doing the same stuff we do. So, I feel like they’re prepared because just being prepared is kind of the most important part. I guess everything else will come whenever they get the chance,” Bowers said.

The Georgia tight end room this year is one of the most loaded groups the sport has seen in quite some time. It’ll be interesting to see when they decide to get Gilbert more involved. In the meantime, they’ve got plenty of other freakishly talented options that will shine.