Former LSU Tiger Arik Gilbert back at Georgia after time away

Coming off of their national championship win, the Georgia Bulldogs appear to be getting former five-star Arik Gilbert back for the 2022 season. In January, DawgsHQ reported that he returned to the team and is likely to participate in spring football. UGAWire shared via sources this week that Gilbert has practiced with the team.

Gilbert was first spotted at Georgia’s championship parade and celebration after stepping away from football during the fall. The former LSU Tiger and transfer portal pickup joined the Bulldogs during the summer semester. He even earned a Second-Team Preseason All-American nod by Pro Football Focus ahead of the 2021 campaign. However, personal issues kept Gilbert from seeing the field.

“Arik is dealing with some personal issues,” Smart said in August. “We love him… Our thoughts and prayers are with him now and we hope to get him back soon.”

Arik Gilbert came to Athen coming off of a Freshman All-SEC season in Baton Rouge. He started all eight games in which he played in 2020 and caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns.

Arik Gilbert trending toward return to field in 2022

Gilbert’s addition would certainly be big for the Bulldogs, who have lost four wide receivers from their roster in 2021. Top target George Pickens declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. Jermaine Burton, Justin Robinson and Jaylen Johnson entered the transfer portal as well.

The former five-star has a long career ahead of him despite the season at LSU and his off-year at Georgia. Thanks to NCAA eligibility relief, Gilbert has four seasons left to play, assuming he used a redshirt for 2021.

Gilbert, hailing from Marietta High School (GA), was one of the top-rated prospects in the country. After just one season at LSU, Gilbert entered the transfer portal and actually chose Florida — but the 6-foot-5, 248-pound wideout later re-entered the transfer portal, opting to return closer to home at Georgia.