LSU tight end Arik Gilbert tweeted his intention to transfer to Florida Sunday night.
The 6-foot-5, 249-pound Atlanta native was one of the Tigers top-ranked recruits of the 2020 class, the Gatorade National Player of the Year and caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Gilbert opted out of the Tigers’ remaining games early in December after meeting with head coach Ed Orgeron. Orgeron said at the time that LSU would work hard on bring the star player back for the 2021 season.
“He told me he was opting out he said his body was hurting and he had some things to take care of,” Orgeron said in December. “Do I think we have a chance of getting him back next season? Yeah. Is there a chance of him transferring? I don’t know that. He hadn’t told me he’s transferring.
“Obviously we are going to re-recruit him. Obviously, we wish him the best, take care of the things he has to take care of and we’d like him to be back with us next year.”
Earlier this month, Gilbert tweeted then deleted an announcement that he planned to enter the NCAA’s transfer portal.