Georgia is adding another weapon to its offense with former LSU tight end Arik Gilbert deciding to join the football team.
Gilbert, the No. 1 tight end and No. 6 prospect overall in the 2020 ESPN 300, is expected to enroll in summer classes at UGA later this month, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
Gilbert, from Marietta (Georgia) High School, started eight games for the Tigers last season before opting out. He was the Tigers’ second-leading receiver with 35 catches for 368 yards with two touchdowns at the time of his departure.
Gilbert committed to Florida on Jan. 31 but changed his mind about a month later.
Gilbert told 247 Sports on Tuesday that he plans to play wide receiver at Georgia. The Bulldogs’ star receiver, George Pickens, tore the ACL in his right knee during spring practice, and his availability for this upcoming season is unclear.
Georgia is deep at tight end, led by Darnell Washington, the No. 2 prospect at that position in the 2020 ESPN 300.
The SEC still requires undergraduate players transferring within the conference to receive a waiver for immediate eligibility to avoid having to sit out a season. SEC chancellors and presidents are expected to vote whether to change the rule on Thursday.
Sources said the Bulldogs are also adding former Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick, who started 23 games for the Tigers the past three seasons.
Georgia opens the season against Clemson on Sept. 4 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In nine games last season, Kendrick had 20 tackles, a tackle for loss, six pass breakups and one interception. He also returned a fumble 66 yards for a touchdown. He was named first team All-ACC by a panel of league head coaches and media members in 2020.
In March, Kendrick was arrested in his hometown of Rock Hill, South Carolina, after officers said they found him asleep in a car with a gun in his lap. He was charged with unlawful carrying of a pistol, according to York County court records, and was issued a citation for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. He was released on a $2,500 bond.
Kendrick was also benched twice by Clemson coach Dabo Swinney last season for off-field issues.
Georgia earlier added former West Virginia starting safety Tykee Smith and former Alabama defensive back Brandon Turnage.
The Bulldogs lost their top safeties when Richard LeCounte and Mark Webb entered the NFL draft and Tyrique Stevenson transferred to Miami. Three top cornerbacks — Tyson Campbell, Eric Stokes and DJ Daniel — also left for the NFL draft.
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