Kirby Smart provides status update on Arik Gilbert

Kirby Smart’s No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs have had no issues producing on offense, and with Arik Gilbert, things would get even easier.

Although Georgia’s dominance has come in large part from its defense, which by any standard ranks as the nation’s best, its offense is pulling its weight: the Bulldogs are averaging 430 yards per game of total offense — good for 6.74 yards per play — and have scored 31 offensive touchdowns.

All the while, Georgia has done it in large part without starting quarterback JT Daniels, who’s missed a fair share of time with injuries and has been relieved by Stetson Bennett. The Bulldogs have also been without preseason second team All-SEC wide receiver George Pickens, who suffered a knee injury in late March. Plus, another wide receiver, Dominick Baylock, has been sidelined with a knee injury of his own. And of course, there’s Gilbert, one of the most highly-anticipated transfers, who has yet to play a snap for the No. 1 team in the country.

As of now, however, Smart gave no reason to believe that Gilbert will make his long-awaited debut in Georgia’s lineup anytime soon.

“Arik is not back. He’s still continuing his journey, and hopefully he’s going to get back,” Smart said in Tuesday’s press conference. We’re communicating with him, and everybody is pulling for him. But I don’t know the answer to when — or if — he’ll be back.”

Gilbert played his freshman season in 2020 at LSU, where he started all eight games in which he appeared. He reeled in 35 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns, and 24 of those receptions resulted in either a first down or touchdown. Despite a COVID-abbreviated campaign, Gilbert did enough to be named to the freshman All-SEC team, before transferring to Georgia in the offseason.

Gilbert transferred to Georgia over the summer, and he went through summer workouts with the Bulldogs before taking time away in mid August.

“Arik is dealing with some personal issues,” Smart said on Aug. 14, explaining Gilbert’s absence. “We love him… Our thoughts and prayers are with him now and we hope to get him back soon.”

Though the details surrounding Glibert’s personal issues are not public, the conflict has kept him sidelined for the entirety of the 2021 season. And at this time, there’s no indication that he’ll make a return soon.

Gilbert, a former five-star recruit from Marietta High School (GA), was one of the top-rated prospects in the country coming out of high school. 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.