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Kirby Smart clarifies position for Georgia pass catcher Arik Gilbert

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•04/01/22•

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Former LSU Tiger Arik Gilbert back at Georgia following personal issues time away
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

When Arik Gilbert arrived on Georgia’s campus in summer of 2021, he had full intentions of playing wide receiver. However, after a time away from the team during the season and a return this spring, Gilbert is working with Todd Hartley and the tight ends. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart provided some clarity as to his position on Thursday.

“We think he is a tight end at the end of the day,” Smart said. “Last year, it was probably a greater deficit, something that he wanted to be – more of a wide-out. He was lighter. He’s a little heavier, now. He’s more physical. He’s a tight end, and that’s probably how he is going to develop.”

“The certain requirement that it takes to play receiver is it requires stamina, running every play, going to cut off blocks. Our tight ends are receivers. They do play receiver. They don’t go out all the time, and that’s something he’s had to do,” Smart continued. “He’s comfortable in his own skin right now, and he’s got a way to go. He has not arrived. He’s come so far from not being able to execute a play to be able to execute a play, know what to do, and hurry back to get the call for the next play and line up. I’m just proud of the way he’s fought to learn it. He’s fighting stamina out there because he is taking so many reps. I’m really pleased with his growth.”

Earlier this spring, Smart spoke about Gilbert and the expectations some have for him coming into Georgia. A former five-star recruit, Gilbert signed with LSU out of high school and played his freshman season in Baton Rouge. He caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns in eight games on his way to being named to the Freshman All-SEC team. But Smart doesn’t want Gilbert to feel that burden. He just wants him to get back into a spot where he can compete on the football field.

“The biggest hurdle for him has been the conditioning level. I think that’s the biggest thing—learning the playbook and the conditioning level—catching balls, I mean, you can catch balls if you’re an athlete,” Smart said. “He came back a little heavy, and he admittedly will tell you that. He’s done a tremendous job of being in our cardio club and dropping weight—probably between 265-270 (pounds)—and he’s dropping. What’s happening right now, he’s starting to make more and more plays, but he’s having to really work his stamina to be able to sustain during practice. I mean, play-after-play-after-play, it’s like ‘oh man, I’ve got to condition myself to get back, go again, burst and run.’ I’ve been pleased with him and Brett (Seither) and Oscar (Delp) have taken a tremendous load on and have gotten a lot of reps.”

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