Nebraska TE Arik Gilbert arrested Tuesday on burglary charge amid ongoing questions about eligibility

Nebraska tight end Arik Gilbert was arrested on a burglary charge Tuesday morning, On3 and HuskerOnline’s Sean Callahan has learned. He transferred to NU from Georgia this offseason and has been trying get immediate eligibility.

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.

Gilbert was one of Nebraska’s biggest transfer portal additions under new coach 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 needed 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.

“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.”

Matt Rhule has been advocating for Arik Gilbert’s eligibility all offseason

As a freshman at LSU, Gilbert had 35 receptions for 368 yards and two touchdowns before making his way to Georgia. He only appeared in three games in Athens, though, totaling two receptions for 16 yards and a touchdown during the 2021 season.

Gilbert arrived on the college football scene as a highly rated recruit. He played high school football at Marietta (GA), where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

At Big Ten Media Days, Rhule said Nebraska knew it would be a long and winding road to get Gilbert an eligibility waiver. That’s why he said it’s a “long-term play” for him, and the program planned to do everything in its power to get him on the field this year.

“When we took Arik we said, ‘Listen, we’re here to help you. This is a long-term play for you. If you’re eligible, great. If you’re not eligible, we’ll help you, you’ll play another year. Then if you want to play next year, great,’” Rhule said. “I just want to help the kid.”