Whatever Miami Hurricanes head coach Al Golden is selling, apparently everyone seems to be buying.
After a huge recruiting haul this past weekend, with UM making national news for pulling in over a half dozen verbal commitments and jumping to the fourth in recruiting class rankings, the biggest impact player of all might’ve just gotten on board for fall; former Wisconsin Badgers defensive end David Gilbert.
Gilbert, a 6-foot-4, 247-pound product out of Coral Springs with one season of eligibility remaining, is waiting for paperwork to be finalized but would be eligible to play this fall. A Wisconsin release back in April stated that Gilbert’s career was over after multiple foot injuries.
“This was a difficult decision for me but I have had multiple injuries and surgeries on my foot and feel that no longer playing at UW is the best decision for me,” Gilbert stated in the UW release. “I have been dealing with pain in my foot since the injury first occurred and I just need to give it time to fully heal.”
Gilbert finished a three-year career in Madison having played in forty-three games, recording 79 tackles and 8.5 sacks. He also forced a fumble in a Rose Bowl appearance against Nebraska.
Miami returns both starting defensive ends, Shayon Green and Anthony Chickillo, this fall, but could use the extra depth and veteran leadership that Gilbert will bring, if the foot can hold up all season.
According to his Rivals profile, Gilbert was a four-star prospect, the twelfth-ranked defensive end and forty-fourth best player in-state. Also, at 214 in high school, it appears he’s put on over thirty pounds of “man weight” during his time with the Badgers.
Gilbert does have the nagging foot injury, which a doctor will have to clear, and reports today were cautious regarding his desire to come to Miami, though the paperwork hasn’t yet been taken care of.
All signs point to Coral Gables, but crazier things have happened so stay tuned for updated and official word. Barring all goes as planned, Welcome To The U, David!
