Breaking down 5-star TE Arik Gilbert’s upcoming decision

Potentially the most important tight end prospect in the modern recruiting era, Arik Gilbert, will commit Wednesday during his All-American Bowl jersey ceremony at the College Football Hall of Fame (6 p.m., ET). It’s a lofty location for a high school recruit. But Gilbert’s pedigree borders on historic.

The 247Sports Composite slots Gilbert as the No. 10 overall player in the 2020 class. If he finished the cycle in his current spot, he’d be the highest-rated tight end prospect in history. 

“Gilbert is a remarkable prospect because he is just so complete,” 247Sports Director of Scouting Barton Simmons said. “He has the size to be a throw-back in-line tight end but his athleticism points more towards wide receiver. He’s a fantastic route-runner, shows great downfield ball-tracking skills and has the feel to work open areas underneath but the speed and ball skills to win downfield. He’s also highly competitive. His versatility really and overwhelming physical traits make him the most complete tight end we’ve seen in more than a decade.”

After a whirlwind string of official visits, Gilbert released his top five Tuesday morning. His finalists include Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU and Texas A&M.

Gilbert’s commitment would mean a lot to a number of programs. His interest in Clemson and Alabama, however, is particularly compelling because those programs are jostling for the top spot in the 2020 class rankings. If the Tide land Gilbert, they’d jump the Tigers with a little under four months remaining in the cycle.

“If Alabama lands Arik Gilbert, they will move to No. 1 in the 247Sports Composite Team rankings,” 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong said. “I expect that to happen on Wednesday. The race for No. 1, will be a slugfest moving forward with Clemson as both programs battle for a few more blue-chippers leading up to National Signing Day.”

Clemson and Alabama seem to clash often. But they were far from alone in this recruitment. Gilbert hails from Marietta, Georgia – all of eighty miles from Athens – and the Bulldogs have factored heavily in Gilbert’s process. The Tigers and Aggies have also made a huge push for Gilbert’s services.

So, who has the edge? 247Sports consulted its deep stable of local experts to take the temperature of how every program is feeling ahead of Gilbert’s announcement.

Alabama Crimson Tide
Confidence Level: Medium to High

“Once considered a Georgia lean, Alabama took hold of the momentum this past summer and into the fall, hosting Gilbert for an official visit in June, for its Champions Cookout in July and then for its season-opener against Duke in Atlanta at the end of August. Alabama’s need at tight end and recent track record developing the position has Alabama in pole position, in my opinion, heading into decision day – the addition of five-star QB Bryce Young doesn’t hurt either. A last-minute official visit to Georgia was/is something to monitor. You can’t discount the home-state school in these types of recruitments. But Bama appears to have separated itself from the pack in recent weeks.” – Hank South, BamaOnline

Clemson Tigers
Confidence Level: Low

“Clemson didn’t receive an official visit, and that’s extremely telling. The Tigers had some momentum following his Week 2 visit but have never been viewed as the leader in this recruitment. Whatever momentum Clemson had in September has evaporated completely.” – Anna Hickey, Clemson247

Georgia Bulldogs
Confidence Level: Medium

“The momentum with Arik Gilbert has been drifting in Alabama’s direction since the summer, and there has been no indication that anything has changed in recent weeks. What Georgia has going for it is having the final official visit with the five-star over the weekend. The positive returns from that trip give Georgia reason for some optimism. So does the continued communication, location and Gilbert’s relationship with Kirby Smart, which started four years ago. Just as importantly, it doesn’t seem as if either school has been given an indication where Gilbert is going. At this time, the projection remains Alabama, with medium confidence. But Gilbert is keeping things very quiet on his end, which means a surprise outcome is possible.” – Kipp Adams, Dawgs247

LSU Tigers
Confidence Level: Low

“LSU hosted Gilbert the weekend of its top 10 matchup with Florida. The Tigers earned a huge victory, shooting up to No. 2 in the AP Poll the following day. LSU tight ends coach John Decoster has been instrumental in the recruitment of Gilbert. The pitch was Gilbert could be part of the new-look offense as a player who would line up outside – playing a receiver role more often than a blocking role. On Sunday, the staff went over film from the game and showed him how they use tight ends Thaddeus Moss and Stephen Sullivan as pass-catchers who play outside as often as they do near the line. It’s evident LSU had Gilbert’s attention ahead of the visit, and the trip to Baton Rouge certainly gave Gilbert more to think about. But the general feeling in the week after the visit was Alabama would be tough to beat, and I’m not sure anything has changed in that regard following his trip to Georgia last weekend. If a team didn’t get an official visit from Gilbert and his family, I don’t see them being in the mix when the hats go on the table for a decision. Wild things can happen in the hours leading up to a recruit’s announcement. But the feeling is the Tide were able to hold onto the lead they started to build this offseason.” – Shea Dixon, Geaux247

Texas A&M Aggies
Confidence Level: Low

“Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher has a history of using his tight ends extensively with multiple All-American performers at the position. That at least piqued the interest of Gilbert. Though it was always going to be tough to pull a five-star out of the middle of SEC territory, the Aggies got him on campus for an unofficial visit in the spring and then again for an official in the fall. Both trips seemingly went well, but Gilbert is still a longshot at best as he seems likely to stay much closer to him.” – Brian Perroni, Gigem247