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LSU football: The 1 freshman who will make an immediate impact

By Anthony Brown

Arik Gilbert #2 of the East team runs from the tunnel before the game against the West team during the All-American Game held at the Alamodome on January 04, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Arik Gilbert #2 of the East team runs from the tunnel before the game against the West team during the All-American Game held at the Alamodome on January 04, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) /
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Five-star 2021 tight end Arik Gilbert could be a major factor in LSU’s offense in 2020.

Arik Gilbert is an impressive young talent. After the success, the LSU Tigers had last season with the performance of Thaddeus Moss, they are reloading with Gilbert who could become a top target for quarterback Myles Brennan. Gilbert is ranked No.12 in the ESPN 300 and according to the 247Sports Composite, he is the fifth-best player in the nation for the 2021 class, the best tight end, and the best player in Louisiana.

Gilbert was an absolute beast for the Marietta Blue Devils (Ga.) who finished the 2019-20 season with a 14-2 (4-1 7A Region 3) record. Gilbert caught 105 passes for 1,860 yards (17.7 yards per catch) and reached the end zone 15 times.

That impressive stat line earned him Gatorade National Player of the Year. He was the first tight end to win that award since the award was created in 1985. The Blue Devils also won a state championship after beating the Lowndes Vikings 17-9.

Arik Gilbert is capable of being LSU’s No.1 option in the passing game

Gilbert is a skilled route runner who creates separation with ease and his 6-foot-5 frame allows him to high point the ball out of the air and makes spectacular catches over shorter defenders. Gilbert creates mismatches and that is good news for the LSU Tiger offense who will likely depend on the true freshman in the passing game even more than they were already anticipating.

Ja’Marr Chase opted out of the 2020 season to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft after his stellar season last year. He caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards (21.2 yards per catch) and reached the end zone 20 times. After that kind of performance, his draft stock is high and he could very well be the first wide receiver taken in next year’s draft.

In an interview with DawgNation about his commitment, LSU was always high on Gilbert’s list because Ed Orgeron is a one-of-a-kind coach, the atmosphere during games and he believes with the style of offense they run, he’ll fit in perfectly. SEC powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia were viable suitors but Gilbert knew where he wanted to be and just let analysts theorize about where he was going to end up.

He will provide Myles Brennan with a big target to throw to whether his hand is in the dirt or he is split out as a wide receiver. Tight ends are a quarterback’s best friend on the football field. Will he have some adjustments to make playing SEC opponents right out of the gate? Absolutely. Gilbert is going to be just fine. Tigers offensive coordinator Matt Brady is going to make sure he adjusts well to the offense and understands what is expected of him.

The LSU Tigers will start their national title defense Saturday, Sept. 26 when they play the Mississippi State Bulldogs. LSU fans should be excited to see what Gilbert will be able to do in a very talented offense.

dark. Next. 10 freshmen who will dominate in 2020

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