Matt Rhule says transfer Arik Gilbert is 'as talented a player as there is'

Nebraska landed transfer Arik Gilbert out of the NCAA transfer portal during the winter cycle, snagging one of the most purely talented players out there.

Unlocking that talent has proven a bit of a tricky task, as Gilbert transferred to Georgia after an encouraging start to his career at LSU, only to make minimal impact for the Bulldogs in two years there.

Will new coach Matt Rhule and Nebraska be able to coax out that elite talent?

“I just think he’s as talented a player as there is. He’s a player,” Rhule said. “What we want to do, like with all of our players, I want him in 10 years to say his life is better for having played with us at Nebraska. That’s all I care about with all these guys.

“What that means for him, I’m just getting to know him. I want him to have elite success in the classroom, I want him to go be involved in the community, I want him to have great relationships and I want him to go play well in football.”

Latest transfer for Arik Gilbert the difference-maker?

In his lone season at LSU in 2020, Gilbert recorded 35 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns.

While at Georgia he recorded just two catches for 16 yards and a touchdown.

The talent the former five-star prospect has is undeniable, but getting Gilbert on the field consistently seems to be a bit more of a question mark.

Rhule spoke to what he hopes to be able to unlock with the talented tight end prospect.

“If Arik gets on the field for us, football for him comes naturally, but we’re going to push him to be the best that he can be,” Rhule saiid. “I think there’s a lot of talent there, but with a lot of these guys there’s a lot of talent. We just have to harness it and help them develop it, get them on the field, get them to trust us and then turn them loose.”