Nebraska tight end Arik Gilbert is a former five-star recruit who transferred from Georgia in January.
He is not getting off on the right foot after he was arrested Tuesday on a burglary charge. Around 2 a.m., Lincoln police responded to a burglary call at SJ’s Liquor and Vape Shop cops found a glass door had been shattered by large cement chunks and saw the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Arik Gilbert, walking toward the exit with a bag, Lincoln police said.
Surveillance video obtained from Sj’s Liquor and Vape shows the suspect breaking in and Lincoln Police placing him in handcuffs.
According to the police, the bag contained stolen vape products, Delta 8 (a psychoactive cannabinoid), cigars, and lighters. The total value of the products in the bag came to $1,672.07. In addition, police said damage to the store is estimated at $650.
Corhuskers head coach Matt Rhule told reporters he was “obviously really disappointed, really sad” for Gilbert, who was booked in the Lancaster County jail on a burglary charge, which is a felony in Nebraska, according to ESPN.
Rhule refused to comment on what the arrest means for Gilbert’s status with the team.
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Gilbert was a five-star recruit who was the top-ranked tight end prospect and 2019 Gatorade National Player of the Year. His college career initially started at LSU where he started eight games in 2020 and was named to the All-SEC freshman team after catching 35 passes for 368 yards.
He transferred to Georgia and sat out the 2021 season. He played in three games for the Bulldogs last season, catching two passes for 16 yards and a touchdown.
Gilbert transferred to Nebraska in January, but he “already used his one-time transfer exemption, he needs a waiver from the NCAA to be eligible this season,” according to ESPN.
The Cornhuskers kick off their 2023 season Thursday at Minnesota at 8 p.m. ET.
