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Surveillance footage from the Arik Gilbert arrest has been released to the public, sparking a second wave of reaction to the unfortunate incident. The former five-star tight end’s future in Lincoln is now uncertain.
Head coach Matt Rhule has since responded to the arrest, stating that he’s “really disappointed” in the outcome. The distraction comes just two days before the Cornhuskers‘ season opener against Minnesota.
On Tuesday, Gilbert was arrested for robbing a liquor and vape shop near the school’s campus.
Nebraska tight end Arik Gilbert was arrested without incident shortly before 2 a.m. this morning at SJ’s Liquor and Vape Shop in Lincoln. He was apprehended by officers while carrying a bag that contained $1,672 in vape products, Delta 8, cigars and lighters.
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) August 29, 2023
He was found to be carrying more than $1,600 worth of vape products, Delta 8, cigars, and lighters. It was also reported that an estimated $650 worth of damage had been done to the store itself.
That damage included a shattered glass door as the shop had been closed at the time of the burglary.
Gilbert was suiting up for the third team of his college career, having previously played in the SEC for LSU and Georgia. As a Tiger, he burst onto the scene as a freshman, tallying 35 receptions for 368 yards.
He then transferred to UGA where he failed to find playing time behind Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington.
The tight end opted to move onto the Big Ten this past offseason, though he did make a brief commitment to Florida prior to his arrival. While he wasn’t eligible to play in the 2023 season due to this being his second transfer, the expectation was that he could make an impact for Matt Rhule’s offense the following year.
Now, that future is in question.
With off-the-field issues at previous stops, his status with the Cornhuskers remains unclear. It’s an unfortunate situation for a player once considered the top tight end prospect in the recruiting era.
Shortly after news of the arrest broke, surveillance footage of the incident was released.
UPDATE: Arik Gilbert has been arrested on a burglary charge in Lancaster County. The former LSU, Georgia, and current Nebraska tight end was awaiting a waiver from the NCAA to play this season. He stole over $1600 from a liquor and vape shop. pic.twitter.com/M78D4gJLuR
— Spark College Football (@SparkCFB) August 29, 2023
Matt Rhule ‘really disappointed’ in the Arik Gilbert arrest.
The Nebraska head coach spoke to the media in his Tuesday press conference, giving his insights on the situation.
“Obviously really disappointed, really sad for him,” Rhule said. “When we took Arik, we knew we had good people to help us with some issues he’s dealing with in his life, and they were really proud of the job he’s done in the spring and summer. … (We’re) sad and disappointed for him and his family.”
He then went on to say he didn’t know how the arrest would affect his status at Nebraska.
“I’m not prepared to speak on that. I don’t know anything about it. I really just got that phone call and I’m not going to jump to conclusions about anything.”
Rhule will now turn his focus to the 2023 season as Nebraska gears up for a Thursday night trip to Minnesota.