When [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] arrived at LSU, he had to rebuild the roster and rebuild it quickly. This resulted in Kelly making 15 transfers his freshman year and earning the third overall transfer class in the country.
In 2023, LSU made 13 more transfers and made it into the top five transfer classes in a row to start Kelly’s tenure. This year, LSU took a different approach. The Tigers made just nine transfers, with the overall class ranked 39th in the portal’s rankings.
The class of 2024 will help with more depth than the starting lineup. Only one or two players from this year’s transfer group are expected to take on starting roles. One of them is security [autotag]Gilbert Garden[/autotag].
Gilbert, originally from Louisiana, was a four-star in the 2021 recruiting class. He spent three years at Texas A&M before reaching the portal after the season. According to 247Sports, he was LSU’s highest-rated transfer in the 2024 cycle, just ahead of wide receiver C.J. Daniels.
LSU needed SEC experience at the secondary level and Gilbert has it. He spent 2022 as a starter, recording 52 tackles and two picks. He allowed just 14 catches in coverage.
Gilbert started 2023 in the same place before an injury ended his campaign.
If Gilbert returns to the level he was at in 2022, LSU will receive an immediate upgrade at safety. Allows new defensive coordinator [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag] take advantage of the versatility it has with [autotag]Severe Burns[/autotag] It is [autotag]Sage Ryan[/autotag].
Gilbert isn’t a safety defender and struggled defending the run at A&M, but LSU’s defense isn’t in a position to be picky after last year. This is a unit that needs to improve on every level and if Gilbert can make some big plays in the passing game, the defense will take a step forward.
We still don’t know what LSU’s defense will look like from end to end. This makes big plays even more important. LSU can gain room for mistakes by creating turnovers. That’s what Baker’s defense aims to do.
With LSU, Gilbert’s job will be to limit big plays and create chaos. LSU doesn’t have many experienced options on the backend, so it needs its veterans to live up to expectations.
That makes Gilbert one of the most important pieces on this 2024 roster.
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This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU safety Jardin Gilbert’s most important transfer in 2024?
