Matt Rhule: Arik Gilbert's eligibility request has 'some twists and turns'
Matt Rhule has provided an update on Arik Gilbert’s waiver status, and it seems as if he’s still awaiting an answer.
The Georgia Bulldogs transfer tight end’s waiver has yet to be cleared from the NCAA, and with just weeks before the season’s start, time is running out for a decision to be made before the 2023 season. On Friday, Rhule explained his thoughts on the matter, and added that it hasn’t been a straightforward process.
“It’s still in progress. We’re hoping that before we head to Minnesota there will be some finality on it. There’s obviously been some twist and turns, with things going back and forth,” Rhule said on Friday, during a press conference. “Out of respect for Arik, I’m not going to broadcast all those different things. But there’s still just — looking for some finality, and everyone’s working hard to get it done.”
Alas, the news comes after a couple of weeks ago, Rhule made a plea to the NCAA to get the waiver finalized, believing that if Gilbert doesn’t get it, then they shouldn’t even have it in the first place.
“It’s not finalized yet. I’m going to be really disappointed if he doesn’t get it. He’s the most deserving young man of that. If he doesn’t get it, the NCAA shouldn’t even have the waiver,” Rhule said, earlier this month. “But there are a lot of parties involved. A lot of entities out there that don’t have people’s best interests at heart. Arik deserves, 100%, in my opinion — in my humble opinion.
“The great thing about me is that I’ve been through enough that I say what I think. If he doesn’t get it, no one should have this waiver.”
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Arik Gilbert spent the past two seasons with the Bulldogs but ended up playing in just three games this past season. He was able to catch two passes for 16 yards and found his way into the end zone.
It’s a far cry from where he was in high school — as he was one of the nation’s best prospects. Gilbert played his high school ball at Marietta (GA) and was a five-star-star. He was the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.
Still, he can become a major player for Nebraska’s offense if he’s allowed to be on the field. Rhule is certainly rooting for him.
Nebraska kicks off its 2023 season on Aug. 31 on the road against Minnesota. By that time, the Huskers will hope to have Gilbert’s waiver situation cleared and finally put to rest.