Overview

Gilbert has been rising up draft boards since his stellar 2008 campaign and postseason all-star game showing. Blessed with impressive size and quickness, his versatility has many professional teams considering Gilbert for a variety of roles on the D-line.

The son of former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Daren Gilbert, Jarron's on the football field might have garnered him the attention of the NFL, but it was his recent display of athleticism that has made him a YouTube "sensation." While working out with his trainer after the 2008 season, he was told that former St. Louis Rams safety Adam Archuleta could jump out of a swimming pool.

Gilbert took the bait. From the shallow end of the pool, he amazed everyone by simply jumping out and landing on his feet.

"I went out there one day -- it wasn't that big a deal to me -- and I just went and jumped out of the pool. I found out that I could do it, so I put it on film to make everybody else believe me," Gilbert stated.

Gilbert can thank his bloodlines for his athletic ability. While attending Chino High School, he lettered in football, basketball and track. The two-way lineman earned All-Sierra League honors on the gridiron. As a forward, he was also an All-League choice for the basketball squad. He also handled the weight for the track squad.

The 240-pound defensive lineman enrolled at San Jose State in 2004, spending the season performing on the scout team and working out in the training room. With 10 pounds of muscle, the redshirt freshman started four of the 11 games he appeared in, lining up at right defensive end in 2005. He posted 22 tackles (14 solo) with three sacks and five stops for losses during his first varsity campaign.

Gilbert shifted to left defensive end in 2006 and his weight jumped to around 270 pounds. He started 10 of 13 contests, coming up with 32 tackles (14 solos), including five sacks and 7.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also used his impressive wingspan to deflect six passes, tops among the down linemen in the Western Athletic Conference.

In 2007, Gilbert started all 12 games, seeing action at both right defensive end and tackle. The All-WAC second-team choice, continued to add bulk and strength, listing at 280 pounds. He led the team's down linemen with 38 tackles (23 solo). He collected 7.5 stops for losses that included four sacks, as he also broke up four passes.

One of four team captains, Gilbert received All-American, All-WAC, conference co-Defensive Player of the Year and team MVP honors in 2008. Now measuring in at 290 pounds, he started all twelve games at left defensive tackle. He registered 52 tackles (36 solos), leading the nation with 22 stops for losses of 116 yards. His 9.5 sacks led the Spartans with 9.5 sacks, the second-best total in the league.

High School

Attended Chino (Cal.) High School, playing football for head coach John Monger...Lettered in football, basketball and track and field...The two-way lineman earned All-Sierra League honors on the gridiron...As a forward, he was also an All-League choice for the basketball squad...Handled the weight for the track squad.

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Analysis

Positives: Rare athleticism for a player of his size. Versatile defender with experience at tackle and end. Good size potential. Naturally large man with room for plenty of additional muscle mass. Good initial quickness off the snap. Flashes the functional upper-body strength to disengage from blockers. Surprising balance for his height. Can break down in space and make the secure tackle.

Negatives: Struggles with leverage inside, and might lack the burst off the snap and flexibility to flank the tackle and close effectively as a defensive end. Too often allows blockers to get into his chest. Inconsistent getting his hands up in the passing lanes. Questionable level of competition. Better raw athlete than football player.

Compares To: TY WARREN, New England -- Gilbert is more of a 3-4 defensive end rather than an edge rusher in a 4-3 alignment. He seems comfortable shooting the gaps to get to the quarterback rather than trying to loop around the edge. If taken by a team operating from primarily a 4-3 base defense, he will be better off playing inside. He has a lot of potential and a rare-sized frame with an excellent wing span, but it took him more than three seasons to start to produce consistently. It could have been due to him settling in at defensive tackle in 2008.

Injury Report

No major injuries reported.

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