Offers begin for Richmond OT Gilbert

Offensive tackle Justin Gilbert out of Richmond (Va.) Monacan is no longer a secret in recruiting circles. The 6-foot-6, 280-pounder has picked up two offers so far and believes more will be coming in the near future.

"I've got offers from Army and Liberty," he said. "Then there are ones like JMU, Richmond, East Carolina and Marshall who all say they will offer once they either see me or get my SAT scores.

"Then there are also the big ones including Maryland, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Boston College, Clemson, Virginia and Penn State. Maryland, Boston College and Virginia Tech are really heavy on me. Notre Dame is sending a couple letters and Penn State, Clemson and Virginia are a little behind."

A big chance to earn offers in the near future starts next month with summer camps.

"I'm going to Maryland, Virginia Tech, Marshall, East Carolina, Virginia and Penn State for camps in June," he said. "I'm also going to go to Boston College for a day just to look around. In July, I'm going to JMU and Richmond for camps."

With such a wide variety of schools showing interest, is there a favorite for Gilbert?

"Not really yet," he said. "The bigger schools are definitely higher up because of their profile, but all of them are kind of the same. I'm keeping them together and we'll see what happens. I think I'll make a decision around the football season."

Growing up, Gilbert was a fan of Penn State.

"Penn State is the school my dad and I would follow during the football season, but living in Virginia I hear about Virginia Tech, JMU and Richmond a lot," he said. "I'd say Penn State is the big one and if they offered that'd be a big thing to play for the blue and white. It may in fact sway my decision a bit and I would love for it to happen, but we've got to see what goes on first."

The Richmond prospect finished by discussing what he wants in a school.

"Really, my goal is to play in the NFL, but we'll see if it happens," he said. "I want the academics too and I want a place that's good for that. I also want somewhere I'm going to feel like an important player instead of just another guy on the team. I want the coaches to come out and be close with their players.

"I would like to see a place that the community supports the school too, a place like Virginia Tech and Blacksburg. Everything there is centered on the school which is cool."