Rivals250 DB Jardin Gilbert commits to Texas A&M
THE SITUATION
After coming close to committing on multiple occasions during his senior season, Jardin Gilbert made his decision final after the new year.
Gilbert, a Rivals250 safety from White Castle, La., gave a commitment to Texas A&M on Saturday. The Aggies edged out LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama and Mississippi State for the nation's No. 244 overall player and the No. 19-ranked safety in the 2021 class.
Gilbert, the No. 8-ranked player in The Boot, held a relationship with Texas A&M running backs coach Tommie Robinson dating back to his tenure at LSU. Head coach Jimbo Fisher played a huge role in courting the University Lab standout and reeling in the four-star safety.
Gilbert is the first Louisiana prospect to join the Aggies' 2021 haul, which entered the new year ranked No. 6 nationally in the Rivals team rankings. He's the fifth defensive back in the fold along with Kendal Daniels and Deuce Harmon.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
“I asked other people who had been in this situation and I took advice from them. With a lot of praying and trying to take my emotions out of it, I had to do what’s best for me now and in the long run. I spoke with guys like Jordan Clark and Christian Harris, my old teammates from the best high school in the state.”
“It came down to my relationship with Jimbo Fisher. That’s not something that every school did and that made my decision much easier. I love his energy and we don’t just talk about football.”
“This year has been hectic and it was hard finding a school with everything going on. That’s why I changed my mind almost 100 times, but I am confident with this decision.”
“They expect me to produce and to show out, so that’s what I’m going to go up and do there. They will respect this kid from White Castle.”
RIVALS REACTION
Gilbert is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound dual-sport athlete with a background in both football and basketball and has thrived on both sides of the ball for University Lab the past two seasons.
Gilbert has a long frame and is continuing to fill out. Speed is a bit of an unknown with Gilbert, but it doesn’t prevent the athlete from making big splash plays downfield on offense and play downhill at safety. Gilbert is a big target in the passing game that does his best work making contested catches on 50-50 balls. He has an excellent vertical jump and strong hands to battle and come down with catch.
That athleticism translates well to Gilbert playing back deep at his natural position, where he can contest balls in the air and hold strong in coverage over the top. Gilbert is a versatile piece capable of playing on the back end of the secondary but also inch closer toward the line of scrimmage and fill in as an added linebacker close to the line of scrimmage.
Gilbert plays a physical brand of football and is an enforcer in the middle of the field. That applies in both the run game and defending the pass. He isn’t shy about lowering his shoulder and is a sure tackler in the open field. He has strong closing speed and a willing hitter on the other side — and is best equipped to aid in coverage, but has room to grow when venturing out to cover in the nickel or guarding quicker, speedier pass-catchers.
