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WATCH: Arik Gilbert scores touchdown in Georgia spring game

James Fletcher IIIby: James Fletcher III04/16/22jdfletch3

The first touchdown of Georgia’s 2022 spring game came on a quick strike across the middle from quarterback Stetson Bennett to returning tight end Arik Gilbert. The former five-star recruit transferred from LSU to Georgia last year but did not play after stepping away to deal with mental health issues.

In his return to the field at Georgia’s spring game, Arik Gilbert scored a quick touchdown out of the slot. After experimenting with a move to wide receiver before he stepped away in 2021, he has now returned full-time to the tight end position where he will play alongside Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington.

Gilbert came into college football as the No. 6 overall ranked prospect in the 2020 On3 Consensus and ranked No. 1 at the tight end spot. The Georgia native was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team at LSU after posting 35 receptions for 368 yards and two touchdowns.

Kirby Smart on Arik Gilbert

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart announced that Arik Gilbert, who was first moved to wide receiver when he came to Athens last season, will be moving back to his original position of tight end.

Gilbert stepped away from the team in 2021 after dealing with what Smart labeled “personal issues” in August. He recently rejoined the team following its national championship campaign and should be a full participant for Georgia moving forward. Gilbert — who initially committed to LSU out of high school as a tight end — has since flirted with a position change to wide receiver. It appears as though he will remain a tight end, per Smart.

“He’s a tight end,” Smart said on Thursday. “That’s probably what he’s going to develop at.”

Smart’s tone regarding Gilbert has continued to be supportive, as it appears Georgia will have a budding star return to the lineup this season.

“Arik’s done a great job integrating back into the team,” Smart said, via DawgsHQ. “He’s been here for a while now. He’s done the work we’ve asked of him. He’s doing well academically.

“We don’t place that burden on anybody. I think sometimes they put it on themselves, sometimes social media does it, sometimes media in general do it. But for whatever reason, Arik’s a guy that’s carried a lot of that burden with him in terms of expectations. Our expectation of Arik is for him to be the best person he can be first and foremost, and hopefully be the best player he can be. He’s had a really good offseason. He continues to work, but that doesn’t put an expectation of ‘this guy’s going to go out there and set the world on fire.’”