Still no word on Nebraska tight end Arik Gilbert's eligibility waiver for this season

INDIANAPOLIS – One of the most pressing news items for Nebraska going into Big Ten Media Days on Thursday was the status of Arik Gilbert.

The tight end transfer from Georgia has been awaiting a ruling from the NCAA on his waiver to be immediately eligible this season. Without an approved waiver, Gilbert – who transferred to Georgia from LSU – would have to sit out 2023.

Head coach Matt Rhule had no updates on that situation when asked about it during his side podium interview at Lucas Oil Stadium.

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Rhule did confirm that Nebraska had been in regular contact with the NCAA about the waiver’s status since formally submitting it in June. Gilbert will still practice with the team until a ruling is made.

While he wasn’t sure how the NCAA would decide, Rhule made his stance on the matter very clear.

“I’ll say this, he should be able to play,” Rhule said. “In my opinion, Arik Gilbert should be able to play, but it’s not my decision. I hope he can play, but if he can’t, we’re going to stand by him. If you just take that approach with a lot of guys, good things will happen.”

Rhule added that he hadn’t been given any timeline for when Nebraska could expect a decision.

“It’s not like it’s not happening. (NU and the NCAA) are constantly working with each other. When it all comes to fruition, I don’t know. But, again, I do believe that he should be allowed to play, and I’m hopeful he can play.”

If eligible, Gilbert could be a valuable weapon for Nebraska

A five-star recruit, Gilbert was the No. 5 overall prospect and No. 1 tight end in the country coming out of Marietta (Georgia) High School in 2020.

Gilbert committed to LSU and recorded 35 catches for 368 yards and two touchdowns in his lone season as a Tiger, earning Freshman All-SEC honors. 

He transferred to Georgia in 2021. After sitting out a year, PFF named Gilbert a 2022 preseason All-American along with being on the Mackey Award watchlist. 

Though he was part of back-to-back national championships with the Bulldogs, Gilbert caught just two passes for 16 yards and a score during his time in Athens.

Gilbert hit the portal this winter and landed at Nebraska, hoping to finally maximize his ability. Rhule hasn’t tempered his excitement about what Gilbert could be in the Huskers’ offense.

The key, Rhule said, will be developing him as a person just as much as a football player.

“I just think he’s as talented a player as there is. He’s a player,” Rhule said this spring. “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.”

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Rhule gives the latest on Marques Buford, Teddy Prochazka

While Rhule didn’t have much to report on Gilbert, he did provide some clarity on the injury statuses of two other key Huskers.

Safety Marques Buford, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last fall at Michigan, will not be ready to return to practice for the start of fall camp. Rhule said NU was taking a cautious approach with the junior to prevent any setbacks in his recovery.

“We’re going to be really smart with him and take some time,” Rhule said. “We hope that he’ll be back, but we’re going to be really methodical in the way that he goes.”

The good news was that projected starting left tackle Teddy Prochazka will be good to go for the start of camp. The sophomore suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last year vs. Georgia Southern and was limited during spring practices.

“Prochazka will be there,” Rhule said.

In other roster news, both scholarship linebacker Seth Malcom and tight end Chase Androff were removed from the official NU roster.

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