Matt Rhule comments on Tuesday morning burglary arrest of Arik Gilbert

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule has addressed the arrest of tight end Arik Gilbert. Gilbert was taken into custody early Tuesday morning on a burglary charge.

“I don’t have a lot of details,” Rhule said during his Tuesday press conference. “You guys probably have more details than me. I got a quick phone call and then went out to the field. We’ll work through those as we get more information. But sad and disappointed. Disappointed for him and his family, disappointed, obviously, for the business owner. We’ll have to just report through it as we move forward.”

When asked about possible next steps, Rhule said he wasn’t ready to get into the situation given the lack of information.

“I’m not prepared to speak on him,” Rhule said. “I don’t know anything about it. Like I said, I really just got the phone call. I’ve learned over the years not to jump to conclusions, not to jump things. As you know, he wasn’t really practicing with us, preparing to play. He was on the scout team. So this doesn’t impact our team. Our team’s ready to play. So I’ll just kind of take it, and I’m sure Trev and the people in the athletic department have a lot to say in that.”

More on Arik Gilbert’s arrest

Gilbert was taken into custody Tuesday morning in Lancaster County, according to police records. Officers were called to SJ’s Liquor and Vape Shop in the 2600 block of O St. shortly before 2 a.m., according to a statement from the Lincoln Police Department. That’s where they arrested Gilbert without incident after they found him with more than $1,600 worth of vape products, Delta 8, cigars and lighters in a bag.

“On Tuesday, August 29, 2023, just before 2 a.m., Lincoln Police were dispatched to a report of a burglary at SJ’s Liquor and Vape Shop at 2645 O Street,” the statement from police read. “Upon arrival, officers observed a glass door that had been shatered with large cement chunks from the parking lot. Officers observed the suspect walking toward the exit carrying a bag. Officers arrested 21-year-old Arik Gilbert of Lincoln without incident. He was taken to the Lancaster County Jail for burglary.

“The total value of the stolen items in the bag was $1,672.07 and included a variety of vape products, Delta 8, cigars and lighters. Damages to the business were approximately $650.”

Matt Rhule: No update on Arik Gilbert’s transfer waiver

Gilbert was one of Nebraska’s biggest transfer portal additions under Matt Rhule, coming in as the No. 9-ranked tight end transfer this cycle, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. He started his career at LSU in 2021 before transferring to Georgia, but he decided to transfer again — meaning he needs a waiver.

Rhule has been vocal in his support for Gilbert to receive a waiver, but said the process is still ongoing as of last week. As of Tuesday, he didn’t have an update on the waiver.

“It’s still in progress. We’re hoping that before we head to Minnesota there will be some finality on it. There’s obviously been some twist and turns, with things going back and forth,” Rhule said Friday during a press conference. “Out of respect for Arik, I’m not going to broadcast all those different things. But there’s still just — looking for some finality, and everyone’s working hard to get it done.”