Marcus Gilbert info

MARCUS GILBERT
Offensive Tackle/Guard
University of Florida Gators
#76
6:06.1-330
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
St. Thomas Aquinas High School

OVERVIEW
While most of the media attention paid to Florida’s offensive line in recent years centered on the Pouncey Brothers, Mike
and Maurkice (Pittsburgh Steelers), there is no shortage of talent among the rest of the Gators’ up front. Many
professional scouts feel that Carl Johnson and Maurice Hurt are also capable of playing at the next level.

But those same scouts feel that Gilbert has the potential to be Florida’s best product produced at the offensive tackle
position since Kenyatta Walker was the 14th overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay.

The son of a retired secret service agent who protected Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, Gilbert was so
focused during the 2009 preseason that every night before he went to bed, he wrote himself notes of what he must
improve upon during the next day’s practices.

“Coach (Steve) Addazio and he developed a father- son type relationship,” said former Florida head coach Urban Meyer.
“He is going to graduate from Florida. He will have an opportunity to play at the next level, and he is one of our most
consistent linemen. That’s just one of those great stories, when you have a great mom and dad, which he has, and a
position coach who is just non-stop on him and then obviously the God-given tools. He has turned into one of our better
linemen. He’s very consistent right now. We moved him from right to left, which is sometimes an issue, but he picked it
right up.”

Gilbert had some good football peers during his younger days. He grew up with former Miami safety Anthony Reddick.
According to Gilbert’s sister, Reddick taught Gilbert how to play ball when they were younger. Gilbert’s brother, David
Walker, was a defensive lineman at Iowa who completed his eligibility following the 2005 season.

During his three-year career as a starter at football powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Gilbert played guard
and tackle on the offensive line, as well as doubling on the defensive line. He moved over to offense following his
sophomore season and became one of three major recruiting prospects, as Sam Young and Dan Wenger eventually
enrolled at Notre Dame.

Gilbert received a four-star prospect rating from both Scout.com and Rivals.com. Scout also regarded him as the 42nd-
best offensive lineman in the country. He was selected to participate in the 2006 CaliFlorida Bowl. He was also a member
of the varsity basketball team and competed in the shot put and discus throws for the track and field squad.

Gilbert was recruited by renowned offensive line coach, Doc Holliday, signing his national letter of intent to attend the
University of Florida on December 31st, 2005. He was also heavily recruited by Auburn, Florida State, Louisiana State and
Miami. He played sparingly in 2006 and retained freshman eligibility.

Gilbert returned in 2007, seeing action in all thirteen games. He made his starting debut at right guard in the Florida
Atlantic contest. He continued to be in the offensive lineman rotation as a sophomore in 2008, seeing action in all but the
Arkansas contest. He started at left guard vs. Miami and Hawaii, in addition to seeing time at tight end vs. Tennessee. He
also performed for the team’s field goal unit.

Improved work ethic in the classroom carried over on to the football field in 2009. Gilbert lined up with the first unit in all
fourteen games. He earned Southeastern Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week honors vs. Kentucky and turned in
the highest blocking consistency grade (99% vs. Georgia) of any Gators blocker during his junior campaign. He would
grade over 90% five times during a season that saw UF lead the SEC and rank sixth in the nation in total offense (457.86
ypg).

What impressed the coaching staff the most about Gilbert in 2009 was his renewed dedication. While most players sleep
or play video games in their downtime, Gilbert was often seen doing “homework” to prepare himself for the next day. One
example: Gilbert made a few mistakes during a practice which allowed defensive ends Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine
Cunningham to penetrate the pocket. Gilbert reminded himself that night that he was ``giving a soft edge.''

“So the next day I decided to get deeper in my set and fast off my set and throw my hands out and that was my focus, so I
improved,'' Gilbert said. Gilbert's nightly homework also included reviewing his playbook. In addition to the Gators' base offense, Florida coach Urban Meyer used several I-formation sets that season, which allowed QB Tim Tebow to work
occasionally as a drop-back passer.

This new aspect of UF's offense made Gilbert's job even more demanding. Not only did he have to protect Tebow, but
Gilbert also had to help his quarterback show off his newly learned footwork for NFL scouts. Gilbert now saw his future
taking shape. ``I want to play in the NFL,'' Gilbert said. ``That's what I came here for and that's what I want to do. I'm at
the right tackle position, a position I always wanted to play since I got here, and now I'm here and I'm going to take full
advantage of it.''

Right after his 2009 campaign, Gilbert seriously thought about leaving school to enter the 2010 NFL Draft, but elected to
remain in Gainesville. "I think my papers I got back from the NFL weren't what I wanted them to be -- fourth round," Gilbert
said. "I think this year (2010) I can improve. I know I've got a lot of work to do in the film room, studying defenses and
becoming a better tackle. That was really my first year starting, so I didn't see any need to come out early with just a little
bit of experience. I can get another year under my belt and improve myself as a player."

As a senior, Gilbert shifted to the demanding left tackle position, receiving All-SEC recognition in 2010. He received the
team’s top blocking grade in six contests, but the young offense struggled, finishing 82nd in the nation with an average of
350.85 yards per game in total offense. One of the few bright spots for that unit was the offensive line, as that quintet
improved from allowing 2.14 quarterback sacks per game in 2009 to an average of 1.85 sacks in 2010.

Gilbert would cap his college career by accepting an invitation to play in the 2011 Senior Bowl. Fellow offensive lineman,
Carl Johnson offered accorded this praise upon Gilbert during their final season together, “He is a competitor, hard
worker, great athlete. Most people don’t know he came here at 270 pounds looking like a tight end. They beefed him up
and put weight on him, but he is a phenomenal athlete and that is something you can never coach. Something you can’t
motivate is what you are born with, and he is blessed.”

CAREER NOTES
In his two seasons as a full-time starter, Gilbert manned the left offensive tackle position for thirteen games and played on
the right side for fourteen contests, recording 142 knockdowns and 22 touchdown-resulting blocks during that span.

2010 SEASON
All-Southeastern Conference second-team selection by The NFL Draft Report, earning third-team honors from Phil
Steele...Shifted to the left tackle position as a senior, starting all thirteen games...Registered a career-best 81
knockdowns with thirteen touchdown-resulting blocks, as Florida averaged 350.85 yards in total offense and 166.54
rushing yards per game...Was a key member of an offensive line that surrendered one sack or less in seven
contests...Gilbert graded out a Champion (top performance) in six of Florida’s games, including three in a row vs. Miami,
South Florida and Tennessee...Graded 93% with eight knockdowns vs. the Tennessee Volunteers...Part of a front wall
that allowed 24 quarterback sacks, a reduction from the 28 given up during his junior campaign.

2009 SEASON
Gilbert took over right offensive tackle duties, starting all fourteen games for a unit that led the Southeastern Conference
and ranked sixth nationally with an average of 457.86 yards in total offense per game...The ground game benefitted from
Gilbert’s drive blocking, finishing tenth nationally and second in the league with an average of 221.79 yards per
game...Named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his efforts vs. Kentucky (92%) and turned in one of UF’s highest
grades of the 2009 campaign when he earned Champions’ Club honors with a 99% blocking consistency mark in the win
over Georgia... Checked in at 95% in UF’s win over Arkansas and tallied a 90% mark both the Troy and Tennessee
contests.

2008 SEASON
Gilbert played in thirteen games...Contributed to Florida’s SEC and BCS National Championship Game victories at both
offensive guard and tackle, in addition to playing on the field goal unit...The Gators led the SEC in total offense (445.07
ypg) and rushing, as their ground attack placed tenth in the nation with an average of 231.14 yards per game...Started at
left guard vs. both Hawaii and Miami and lined up at tight end for a play vs. Tennessee...Graded a season-best 93% for
blocking consistency in the 70-19 win over The Citadel.

2007 SEASON
Played in all thirteen games as a guard, earning his first career start vs. Florida Atlantic at right guard, replacing Maurkice
Pouncey...Was the last of 22 Gators who made their first career start in 2007...Helped the team lead the SEC with an
average of 457.15 yards per game in total offense.

2006 SEASON
Retained freshman eligibility after playing in two games. AGILITY TESTS
5.46 in the 40-yard dash...1.93 10-yard dash...3.14 20-yard dash...4.69 20-yard shuttle...7.66 three-cone drill...29-inch
vertical jump...8’5” broad jump...Bench pressed 225 pounds 30 times...33 1⁄2-inch arm length...9 3⁄4-inch hands...80 3⁄4-
inch wingspan.

HIGH SCHOOL
Attended St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) High School, playing football for head coach George Smith...Played
guard and tackle on the offensive line during his prep career, as well as doubling on the defensive line...Moved over to
offense following his sophomore season and became one of three major recruiting prospects, as Sam Young and Dan
Wenger eventually enrolled at Notre Dame...Received a four-star prospect rating from both Scout.com and Rivals.com.
Scout also regarded him as the 42nd-best offensive lineman in the country...Added Class 5A All-District XVI honors and
was selected to participate in the 2006 CaliFlorida Bowl...Also a member of the varsity basketball team and competed in
the shot put and discus throws for the track and field squad.

PERSONAL
Family, Youth and Community Science major...Brother, David Walker, was a defensive lineman at Iowa who completed
his eligibility following the 2005 season...Active member of the Goodwill Gators who participated in visits to Terwilliger
Elementary and the Shands Medical Plaza/AGH...Son of Katrina and Jeffrey Gilbert...Father recently retired from the
Secret Service. When the Florida Gators visited the White House to celebrate their second national championship in four
years in April of 2009, Gilbert received special recognition by new President Barack Obama during the ceremony because
his father, Jeff, was a Secret Service agent who helped shield the past three presidents from harm...Born
2/15/88...Resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.