

The decision date is in for five-star tight end Arik Gilbert.

The Marietta (Ga.) product will announce his commitment on Wednesday, Oct. 23 during his All-American Bowl jersey ceremony at the College Football Hall of Fame.

Considered the nation’s No.1 tight end, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Rankings, Gilbert is down to Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M, in no particular order.

Gilbert has visited Tuscaloosa three times this year, as well as attended UA’s season-opener against Duke in Atlanta.

“That I have a good opportunity to come in and play,” Gilbert recently said of Nick Saban’s pitch to him. “And that he could basically do with me the same thing he did with Irv (Smith Jr.) and OJ (Howard).”

The Tide has received the last three 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions for the elite tight end who is coming off an official visit to Georgia over the weekend. Other programs that have received one of the five-star’s allotted trips are Alabama (June 14), Texas A&M (Sept. 20), and LSU (Oct. 12).

Tight end is arguably the biggest remaining need for UA in the 2020 cycle, and that’s already with Caden Clark on board in the class.

Gilbert is considered a priority target in the cycle, recruited by wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins and special teams and tight ends coach Jeff Banks.

At 6-foot-5, 253 pounds, Gilbert is rated the No. 9 overall player in the county.

Here is 247Sports’ tight end eval of the elite talent:

Long-limbed, muscular, v-shaped athlete with a frame that can continue to add lean mass naturally. Rare body. Brings mismatch ability to the tight end position with both size and athleticism. Can play attached or split out as a wide receiver. Adequate hands and ball skills. Has verified combine athleticism. First-off-the-bus type of athlete that is just better than everyone at this level but will need to refine technique on the next level. Power five impact player with first-round NFL Draft upside.

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