Texas Football: 3 transfer portal targets for Longhorns in 2021

Arik Gilbert, LSU tight end

If you haven’t followed the story of Arik Gilbert this offseason, it’s been a little strange. First, he opted-out in the middie of the season for LSU after he was the Tigers leading recevier.

Then, he announced that he was going to transfer and then said he was committing to Florida, only to change his mind and re-enter the portal days later.

Josh Pate of 247 sports said this about Gilbert at the time:

"“To be honest with you, I don’t think Arik Gilbert even knows where he’s going to land. It’s a big deal. This is a game-changer. From a pure physical standpoint, Arik Gilbert can change the outcome of a football game.”"

Coming out of high school, Gilbert was ranked as the No. 1 tight end in the 2020 recruiting class and was the No. 5 player overall. Last season, he caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns before opting out and as Pate said, he’s a game-changer.

There has been talk that he could return to LSU, while Georgia and Alabama are probably also very much in the mix.

Texas football hasn’t been mentioned much but the Longhorns don’t have an elite pass catcher at the position and every team in the country could use Gilbert.

Sark was obviously on the Alabama staff when the Tide were leading with crystal ball predictions, so there is some familiarity there and it seems like Gilbert could certainly help with the Longhorns turnaround.