Fansided

Georgia flips national title picture after landing transfers Arik Gilbert, Derion Kendrick

By Braulio Perez

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 21: Arik Gilbert #2 of the LSU Tigers runs the ball in the second half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 21, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 27-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 21: Arik Gilbert #2 of the LSU Tigers runs the ball in the second half of a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on November 21, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 27-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Georgia may have flipped the national title picture after picking up Arik Gilbert and Derion Kendrick in the transfer portal in a matter of minutes on Tuesday.

Tuesday has proven to be a sensational day for Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs. That’s because the Bulldogs have made a massive statement in adding two of the best players in the transfer portal.

First, college football recruiting insider Rusty Mansell reported former Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick had committed to the program. The First-Team All-ACC performer fills a big hole in the Georgia secondary after losing a trio of cornerbacks to the NFL.

Then, less than an hour later, Mansell reported that ex-LSU tight end Arik Gilbert was also joining the Bulldogs. The former Gatorade Player of the Year had a brief stop with Florida before the Marrieta, Georgia native committed to the Dawgs who missed out on him in the 2019 cycle.

Both Arik Gilbert and Derion Kendrick committed to the Georgia Bulldogs on Tuesday

In the blink of an eye, Smart and Georgia sent shockwaves throughout the SEC and college football landscape. Starting with Kendrick, he in 39 games for the Tigers, making 23 starts. This past season, the 6-foot, 190-pounder posted 20 tackles, one interception, one sack and six pass deflections.

As massive as the Kendrick addition is, Georgia fans are probably doing cartwheels after learning about the Gilbert news.

Gilbert broke countless hearts when he decided to leave the state and play for LSU who was coming off winning the national championship. A true freshman in 2020, Gilbert caught 35 balls for 368 yards and two touchdowns for Ed Orgeron’s team before leaving the team before the end of the season.

Now, though, he’s ready to get to Athens and ball out for Smart after all, with Gilbert telling Mansell he’s being brought in to play receiver.

“Coming home, I believe it was a smart decision to come home,” Gilbert told Mansell. “I wanted to be with and near my family.  I have been missing all of my family and now both of my grandmothers will be able to see me play in person too.”

Tuesday’s news will only add to the excitement for Georgia fans who are counting down the days for the 2021 campaign to arrive. Sept. 4 vs. Clemson can’t get here soon enough.

The additions of Gilbert and Kendrick may be enough to vault Georgia past Alabama to win the SEC and above the likes of Oklahoma, Ohio State and Clemson in the national title conversation.

Next. 50 greatest college football players this century. dark

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.

Home/College Football