Georgia, Arik Gilbert taking it one day at a time
ATHENS, Ga. — It’s looking more and more like that status of Arik Gilbert is going to be a weekly, if not daily, question for Kirby Smart throughout the 2022 season. The Georgia head coach was asked about Gilbert again on Monday where he indicated that Gilbert and the coaching staff are taking things a day at a time.
“He’s going to be day-to-day throughout the week,” Smart said on Monday
The Georgia tight end has played approximately 25 snaps this season, all in the first two games. He didn’t travel with the Bulldogs to South Carolina over the weekend. Smart was asked about his absence after the game where, for the first time this season, he acknowledged that Arik Gilbert is working through some off-field obstacles.
“All I can say is he didn’t make the trip for personal reasons,” Smart said after the game. “Hoping he gets back with us.”
Arik Gilbert began his college football career at LSU in 2020. The Peach State product eschewed an opportunity to play for the Bulldogs coming out of high school. His recruitment came down to Alabama and LSU.
He caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two scores that season for the defending National Champions. Gilbert also didn’t finish the season, opting out of the final two games.
When that season was in the books, Arik Gilbert entered the transfer portal. He initially committed to Florida but backed off that pledge.
He then chose Georgia as his new home in summer of 2021 and enrolled. Gilbert was with the team in June and July but he left the program after few days of preseason camp. He did not return until early 2022 where he went through spring drills with the team.
Top 10
- 1New
Dan Mullen
Former Florida HC coach targeted by UNLV
- 2Hot
SEC Football Schedule
Week by week schedule revealed
- 3
Rich Rodriguez
WVU expected to hire former HC
- 4
Belichick contract
Details out on UNC deal
- 5Trending
Flag planting felony
Ohio politicians get involved
Georgia had Arik Gilbert on the practice field throughout spring and preseason camp. He appeared in the team’s first two games in a reserve role and has yet to register his first catch in a UGA uniform.
The Bulldogs had no trouble taking down the Gamecocks without Arik Gilbert due in large part to the play of its tight ends. Sophomore Brock Bowers put on a show with five catches for 121 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown.
True freshman Oscar Delp caught the first two passes of his UGA career with the first going for a 28-yard touchdown. Darnell Washington hauled in one pass for 15 yards. In all, Georgia’s tight ends caught eight passes for 168 yards and three scores.
Next up is a home contest with Kent State. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on The SEC Network. It was also announced on Monday that Georgia’s week five game at Missouri will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on The SEC Network.
