Matt Rhule says Arik Gilbert's waiver is 'out of my hands'

In transfer tight end Arik Gilbert, Nebraska and Matt Rhule could have one of the best offensive weapons in the Big Ten and the whole country. That’s if Gilbert is granted eligibility to play in 2023.

Having transferred twice prior to coming to Nebraska, Gilbert is in need of an NCAA waiver to have immediate eligibility. If that is not granted — more waivers tend to get granted than denied under the current paradigm — Gilbert will have to sit out the 2023 season under the old-school transfer eligibility rules. The outcome is still a mystery as far as Rhule is concerned.

“I don’t know that yet, I don’t know the timing. Honestly those things are always — I don’t want to say anything about it. I just don’t know. It’s completely out of my hands. I’ll just say this, when I took Arik, I told him, I said ‘Hey, this is a long-term play for you and your future.’ So if it works out where he can play this year, which I believe he should be able to, then great. If he can’t then we’re going to help him get ready for next year or for the NFL,” Rhule said.

While it would be somewhat shocking for a player with 11 career appearances and three touchdowns receptions to head to the NFL Draft, nothing should come as a surprise with Gilbert at this point.

As a heralded five-star recruit in the Class of 2020, Gilbert originally committed to and enrolled at LSU under Ed Orgeron. After one season there, he transferred to Florida ahead of spring football. But before he got going as a Gator, Gilbert changed course and picked a bitter SEC rival of Florida: Georgia.

Gilbert spent two seasons in Athens with Kirby Smart and was on the roster for the last two national championships, but he caught two passes in two seasons there. From various comments made by Smart throughout the past two seasons, the Georgia coaches never seemed confident in Gilbert becoming a consistent contributor.

Rhule, however, thinks Gilbert could be a boon for the Cornhuskers.

“So, I’ve seen a lot in football. I just think a lot of these guys, they just need somebody to give them a chance, a real chance, and do things the right way,” Rhule said. “I like him a lot, so we’re doing that. He’s doing excellent in school, great kid. So I hope it works out for him.”