{"id":86606,"date":"2022-10-04T11:16:59","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T11:16:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/kirby-smart-explains-why-arik-gilbert-traveled-to-missouri\/"},"modified":"2022-10-04T11:16:59","modified_gmt":"2022-10-04T11:16:59","slug":"kirby-smart-explains-why-arik-gilbert-traveled-to-missouri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/kirby-smart-explains-why-arik-gilbert-traveled-to-missouri\/","title":{"rendered":"Kirby Smart explains why Arik Gilbert traveled to Missouri"},"content":{"rendered":"
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One of the interesting developments from Georgia’s game on Saturday at Missouri was that tight end Arik Gilbert<\/b> Traveled with the Bulldogs, though he did not dress out for the SEC showdown. On Monday, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart<\/b> explained the thinking behind the sophomore making the trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Smart was asked about Gilbert on Monday and explained that the thinking behind Gilbert’s inclusion was to keep him with the team. Smart explained the Bulldogs are working to help Gilbert as he tries to make further progress with his game.<\/span><\/p>\n

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“We’re trying to develop him and bring him along. It’s important that he is there for meetings, walk-throughs, being there with us, being with the team, being part of that connection,\u201d Smart said. \u201cHe’s got a great rapport with the players. That’s why he was there.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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Smart was asked about Gilbert last week during the SEC coaches teleconference. The Bulldogs head coach’s comments about the sophomore tight end were brief, though he did note the LSU transfer is practicing with the Bulldogs again.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cAG’s been practicing with us and continues to do that,\u201d Smart said. \u201cHe’ll be day-to-day each day and hoping that he can help us this year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Gilbert was with the team and went through warm-ups for last week’s game against Kent State but did not play. He did not travel with the team on its first road game at South Carolina the week before and has not played since the Samford game on Sept. 10.<\/span><\/p>\n

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When asked about Gilbert’s absence after the South Carolina game, Bulldogs head coach <\/span>Kirby Smart<\/b><\/b> did not have many details to share with reporters. <\/span><\/p>\n

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“All I can say is he didn’t make the trip for personal reasons,” Smart said. \u201c[We\u2019re] hoping he gets back with us.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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Two days after the South Carolina victory, Smart deemed Gilbert \u201cday-to-day throughout the week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Gilbert received plenty of attention entering the 2022 season for Georgia, but his role through two games has been minimal. He played 13 snaps in the Bulldogs’ season opener against Oregon but did not record a catch on 1 target; the next week, Gilbert played 10 snaps but did not record a catch nor a target.<\/span><\/p>\n

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While Gilbert was not available, Georgia brought five tight ends to the South Carolina game.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Gilbert entered the spring with plenty of hype and quickly took advantage of extra reps due to the absences of <\/span>Brock Bowers<\/b><\/b> and <\/span>Darnell Washington<\/b><\/b> for the entire spring and later <\/span>Ryan Goede<\/b><\/b> after an injury during the spring. Gilbert ended the spring on a high note by catching 3 passes for 49 yards and 2 touchdowns to help the Black team defeat the Red team at G-Day.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Smart explained back on April 1 that Gilbert was somewhere around 265-270 pounds but had been working diligently at getting in better shape. Based on Van Pran’s comments, those efforts by Gilbert through the summer have been worthwhile.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cHis body has definitely changed. The guy is a freak,\u201d Van Pran said. \u201cArik is like, you almost forget that he came from another place because he’s embraced the guys around the locker room so much, and the guys have embraced him. I think that having Arik around is definitely a good thing for our team.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Smith praised Gilbert as well, describing him as quick, fast and physical before adding he’s coming along great in the Bulldogs’ program. Bennett pointed out Gilbert understands getting open in space as a receiver and how to work through the scramble drill, explaining that Gilbert continues working to get open once the quarterback is on the move.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Bennett made it clear Gilbert still has a ways to go, but he likes what he sees from the sophomore tight end.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201c[He\u2019s] still getting everything down because it’s like he just got here,\u201d Bennett said. \u201cHe’s a really good football player.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Gilbert’s journey up to this point has been somewhat of a rollercoaster.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Gatorade National Player of the Year while at Marietta High School, the five-star prospect started his college career at LSU. He received first team Freshman All-SEC honors in 2020 after catching 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Gilbert left LSU after his freshman season and initially transferred to Florida before then transferring to Georgia last summer. He was a second team All-American selection by PFF but was not with the Bulldogs during fall camp due to what Smart deemed \u201cpersonal issues.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Gilbert did not suit up for the Bulldogs in 2021 but was with the team when they celebrated their national championship with a parade in Athens on Jan. 15.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n