Arik Gilbert was arrested on burglary charge

Nebraska tight end Arik Gilbert, a former five-star recruit awaiting an eligibility ruling from the NCAA, was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of burglary in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Gilbert was arrested without incident while carrying a bag out of a liquor and vape store, according to a statement from the Lincoln Police Department.

Police had been dispatched just before 2 a.m. after a report of a burglary, and found the glass door to the store shattered. Gilbert, 21, was found with more than $1,600 worth of stolen items, including vape products, the police statement said. The damage to the store is estimated at $650.

He was booked in the Lancaster County jail on a burglary charge, which is a felony in Nebraska.

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule told reporters Tuesday that, upon learning of the arrest, he was "obviously really disappointed, really sad" for Gilbert.

The sophomore tight end is a Georgia transfer. He was awaiting an eligibility ruling from the NCAA for this season.

Coach Matt Rhule said he got a call about the news as soon as he came into work Tuesday.

Gilbert, who transferred to Nebraska during the offseason and is currently waiting on a ruling from the NCAA to determine if he is eligible for the 2023 season, is accused of burglarizing a liquor and vape store. Surveillance video from the store shows a man breaking into the store by kicking down doors. The man, allegedly Gilbert, is then confronted by police on his way out of the store and arrested.

Lincoln police said Gilbert attempted to steal more than $1,600 worth of merchandise, including cigars and vape pens.

Gilbert left in the middle of fall camp for what coach Kirby Smart deemed as "personal issues" and did not play in 2021, though he was with the team for its national championship celebration. He played in three games in 2022, buried on the depth chart behind star tight ends Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington. Gilbert caught two passes for 16 yards and a touchdown last season. 

As a freshman at LSU, Gilbert registered 35 receptions for 368 yards. After his stint in Baton Rouge, he was initially slated to continue his career in the SEC, briefly committing to Florida before he ultimately enrolled at Georgia instead. Personal issues kept him away from the Bulldogs program in ’21. Last season, Gilbert recorded two receptions in three games.

Read more

Sarah H

Also on site :

• Samsung Galaxy Ring review: This smart ring is a health-tracking winner
• UMary Launches World’s First Catholic Montessori Institute
• Mercedes to resume push in Austria with refined W16 package