Reilly Gibbons has been playing offensive tackle for less than a year now, but the 2014 Florida prospect feels like he’s getting the position down and has the offers to prove it.
“I have 23 offers,” the St. Petersburg, Fla., native said during the Under Armour All-America Underclassmen Combine last week.
Gibbons has offers from the likes of Oklahoma, Nebraska, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Duke, Miami, South Florida among several others.
“It’s kind of an out-of-body experience,” Gibbons said of all of his offers. “It feels like it isn’t me, but then you realize it’s me and I have to show out and put on for everybody.”
Gibbons certainly did that at the combine. He more than held his own during one-on-one drills while also measuring in at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds.
“I was really excited to go up against some of the best competition in my class and really show people what I’m about and how good I’ve gotten at this left tackle position,” said Gibbons.
“I’ve really gotten down the basics. Playing it in games is a lot different than playing it in camps or combines. I’ve gotten down a lot of the basics.”
Gibbons put up 185 pounds on the bench press 20 times, which was in the top 15 among all players, but most impressively was the 4.64 he clocked in the 40-yard dash, which was in the top 25 for all participants and the only sub-5.0 time among offensive linemen.
Gibbons was excited just to take part in the event.
“It’s great,” he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They say it in the packet.”
He doesn’t know of any upcoming visits, but is planning several more before a decision.
“Me and my family haven’t really set our schedules, but we’ll check out a lot of schools,” Gibbons said.
Gibbons has never been shy about expressing his affection for Notre Dame. An offer from the Irish would likely be a game-changer in his recruitment. He continues to stay in contact with Notre Dame assistant Tony Alford and is being patient with the process.
Gibbons had the chance to check out a Michigan practice last month as the Wolverines prepared to face South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. Gibbons’ cousin, Brendan Gibbons, is the kicker for Michigan.
“We don’t get to see him that often, but just to see him and spend time with him was really nice,” said Gibbons. “He had a lot of good stuff to say about Michigan. It’s really a great thing to take his input about another school that I’m possibly considering or myself.”
Gibbons is looking forward to taking the next step in his leadership role for St. Petersburg Catholic next season.
“I was a captain this year and I’ll be a captain again next year,” he said. “I really want to step up and be more of a vocal leader. Last year I was more of a leader by example, but I really want to be that guy that everybody turns to.”
At this point, he has no favorites in the recruiting process.
“Everyone is really an option. I still have an entire year to make a decision.”
