The 6-foot-5, 249-pound Gilbert opted out of LSU's final two games this season, prompting plenty of speculation that he was on the verge of leaving the program. Gilbert, who was one of the Tigers' leading receivers at the time of his decision, finally went public Saturday with his decision to explore other options.
"I’d like to announce that I’m verbally entering the transfer portal," Gilbert tweeted Saturday. "I’d like to (thank) god for all the blessings he bestows upon me."
Gilbert, who later deleted the tweet, was ranked the No. 5 overall prospect and No. 1 tight end in the 2020 class and the No. 1 player from the state of Georgia, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. He was also named the Gatorade National Player of the Year coming out of Marietta High School, just outside Atlanta, where he was Bailey's favorite target for most of their high school careers.