Tight end Arik Gilbert is back on the market after announcing he will re-enter the transfer portal on Sunday.
Gilbert entered the transfer portal while enrolling at LSU and eventually chose Florida as his next destination on January 31. Four weeks later, Gilbert logged on to Twitter to say he is backing off that decision and will not be enrolling in the Gators.
“I decided to withdraw from the University of Florida and enter the portal again”, Gilbert tweeted. “I will not announce my final decision until I am enrolled at school and on campus.”
Gilbert was the number 6 ranked recruit, a five star, in the 2020 class and played eight games as a real freshman last season. He was responsible for 368 yards received and two touchdowns, but chose to stay out of the rest of the season on December 9th.
The moment Gilbert gave up, LSU technician Ed Orgeron said he expected Gilbert to come back with the program. But Gilbert never played another defeat for the Tigers and announced his intention to move almost a month later.
The Gators still have two ESPN 300 entries in the 2021 class, Gage Wilcox and Nick Elksnis; they also have Kemore Gamble, Keon Zipperer and Jonathan Odom on the list.
Florida is looking to replace tight end Kyle Pitts, who led the team in receiving touchdowns.