BREAKING: Transfer S Jardin Gilbert commits to LSU
Texas A&M defensive back Jardin Gilbert has committed to LSU and will transfer home to Baton Rouge following two seasons in College Station.
The former University High standout entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on December 5, and now he’s made the decision to return to Louisiana and suit up in purple-and-gold.
The 6-1, 200-pound defensive back has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
LSU was searching the transfer portal for safeties, and Gilbert sat atop the wish list. Once he entered the portal, LSU immediately made the push to get Gilbert on the roster for the 2024 season.
How Gilbert’s time unfolded at Texas A&M
Gilbert entered the 2023 season as a starter at Texas A&M, but had his junior season cut short after suffering a shoulder injury after just two games. In those two games, Gilbert had five tackles, a pass breakup and was in on a tackle for loss.
In 2022, Gilbert made double-digit starts for the Aggies, finishing the year with 61 tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions.
In total, Gilbert played in 23 games during his two seasons in College Station.
Now, the former University High defensive back returns to Baton Rouge to play for the Tigers.
Gilbert left high school ranked by On3 as a Top 10 safety, a Top 150 prospect nationally and a Top 10 recruit in Louisiana.
What it means for LSU
LSU leaned heavily on two veteran safeties this past season in Andre Sam and Major Burns.
Sam is out of eligibility, while Burns – who participated in Senior Day – could take advantage of one more year of eligibility or head to the NFL Draft. At this point, Burns has not announced his next step.
The Tigers could lose both starting safeties from the 2023 roster, which made the position a key focus in the transfer portal.
This past season, true freshman Ryan Yaites worked as a backup safety and saw 124 snaps on defense, while Burns saw 771 snaps and Sam logged 692 snaps.
Fellow freshman Javien Toviano made the move from safety to cornerback and logged 244 snaps, while second-year safety Jordan Allen saw 78 snaps on defense after stepping in ahead of Yaites during the final month of the season.
Freshman Kylin Jackson also saw playing time at the end of the season, logging time on special teams while seeing 12 snaps at safety.
Safety Matthew Langlois, who has battled injury during his time in Baton Rouge, didn’t see any game action this season.
Now, Gilbert has the opportunity to step in and compete for an immediate starting job given his combination of talent and experience.
