Arik Gilbert arrest, explained: Nebraska tight end, Georgia transfer charged with burglary

This story has been updated from a previous version.

Nebraska tight end Arik Gilbert, a former five-star recruit who played at both Georgia and LSU, was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of committing burglary of a Lincoln, Nebraska vape shop, according to multiple reports.

Arrest records for Lancaster County in Nebraska show Gilbert was booked Tuesday, but does not provide any further details as to his arrest. However, multiple reports indicate he was apprehended by local police with several items from the shop, including upward of $1,600 in paraphernalia from the shop; reports also indicate he has been charged with burglary, a felony.

Here's everything you need to know about Gilbert's arrest and what's next for the former top-end high school recruit.

Why was Arik Gilbert arrested?

According to a report from The Athletic, Gilbert was apprehended by officers from the Lincoln (Nebraska) Police Department shortly after 2 a.m. local time on Tuesday. He was found carrying a bag with $1,678 of paraphernalia, allegedly taken from SJ’s Liquor and Vape Shop in Lincoln.

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His booking record in Lancaster County does not provide further details on his arrest, but mentions the burglary charge. It also does not indicate any bond amount or fines.

A video alleging to capture Gilbert's burglary attempt began circulating social media on Tuesday. The footage shows a person, allegedly Gilbert, breaking into the store before he is ultimately apprehended by police.

Gilbert transferred to Nebraska in January folliwing two years at Georgia. He applied for an NCAA hardship waiver that has yet to be determined, a source of frustration for the tight end as the 2023 season approaches. If it is not approved, he will have to sit out the 2023 college football season.

It's uncertain what effect, if any, Gilbert's arrest will have on his application.

What is Arik Gilbert charged with?

Gilbert was charged with a single count of burglary, a felony charge in Nebraska. According to the Nebraska legislature, a person commits burglary — a Class IIA felony — if they "willfully, maliciously, and forcibly break and enters any real estate or any improvements erected thereon with intent to commit any felony or with intent to steal property of any value."

There is no minimum punishment for a Class IIA felony in the state of Nebraska, though conviction carries a maximum 20-year sentence in the state penitentiary.

Arik Gilbert 247 recruit rankings

Gilbert was one of the most heralded players of his recruiting class, where the Marietta, Georgia native was listed as the No. 5 player nationally according to 247Sports' Composite rankings. He was also the No. 1 tight end in the nation and the No. 1 player in the state of Georgia. He ultimately committed to play for LSU out of high school.

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Arik Gilbert stats

Gilbert's best statistical season came as a freshman at LSU in 2020, where he played and started eight games for former coach Ed Orgeron. He caught 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns, including 24 of which that went either for a first down or touchdown. He later transferred to Georgia.

Gilbert played sparingly for the Bulldogs during their run at consecutive championship in 2021-22. His former player bio lists him as having caught only two passes for 14 yards (including a 4-yard touchdown catch) vs. Vanderbilt in 2022.

Matt Rhule response

First-year Nebraska coach Matt Rhule addressed Gilbert's arrest when speaking to gathered media on Tuesday, saying he was "sad and disappointed" for Gilbert, his family and the business owner. Per the Omaha World-Herald:

"I came into work today and got the phone call about Arik. Obviously really disappointed, really sad for him," Rhule told reporters. "When we took Arik, we knew we had a good group of people that were gonna help him with through some of the issues he's dealing with in his life.

"Had been really proud of the job he had done in the spring, summer, but to be honest during camp he's had some struggles. He's been working to overcome them. We have a great group of people here trying to help him. And then obviously last night happened. I don't have a lot of details, you guys probably have more details than me."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Explaining Arik Gilbert's arrest in Nebraska