Mark Gilbert's Career At Duke Is Over As He Has Opted Out Of The Remainder Of The 2020 Season Because He Is Declaring And Preparing For The 2021 NFL Draft
Mark Gilbert’s career on the gridiron at Duke is over!
Why?
Because the cornerback has decided to not play the remainder of the 2020 season!
Why?
Because he is declaring as well as preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft! “according to https://twitter.com/MGilbert_3/status/1320732577469181952/photo/1
Mark Gilbert had this to say about his decision!
After an amazing return to the field for the first time in two years, I have finally let it all sink in. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to God, my family , Duke teammates, coaches and fans for all your prayers and support. I have sought out the sound advice and countless years of experience from my inner circle. It forced to reflect upon my future in football. More importantly leaning on my relationship with God has allowed me to look deeper into where my gifts and talents may lead me . With that being said, I have decided to opt out of the remainder of the 2020 season and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. To my teammates none of this would have been possible without you!
Duke Gang For Life!
During his tenure at Duke playing on grid iron Mark Gilbert was Second team Freshman All-ACC pick by Athlon Sports ... played in 12 games with three starts ... earned starting assignments against North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Miami ... totaled 18 tackles, 2.0 TFL and two PBUs ... had seven tackles in win over North Carolina ... logged five stops, 1.0 TFL and one PBU at Miami ... one of eight true freshmen to earn varsity letter ... on the field for 348 snaps ... enrolled at Duke in January, 2016. “according to Mark Gilbert’s Biography on goduke.com
Fourth team All-America pick by Athlon Sports ... first team All-ACC selection as the leading vote-getter among CBs in the all-league balloting ... recipient of the program’s Willis Aldridge Award as Duke’s top defensive back ... started all 13 games ... recorded 35 tackles, 3.0 TFL, six INTs and 15 PBUs ... in the ACC, ranked first in total passes defended (21), first in total passes defended per game (1.62), second in INTs, second in INTs per game (0.46) and second in PBUs ... nationally, ranked tied for third in INTs, tied for third in total passes defended per game, tied for third in total passes defended, tied for seventh in INTs per game and tied for eighth in PBUs ... set Duke single-season record for total passes defended, breaking the previous standard of 19 set by Erwin Sampson in 1989 ... matched school single-season standard for PBUs previously set by Sampson in 1989 ... the six INTs marked the most by a Blue Devil in a single campaign since 2006 when John Talley registered seven and led the ACC in INTs per game (0.58) ... logged 2+ tackles in nine contests with a season-high eight stops at Virginia ... posted two INTs against both Northwestern and Wake Forest ... sealed 31-23 win over the Demon Deacons with an INT at the 1:32 mark of the fourth period ... both INTs at Wake Forest came on throws from Demon Deacon QB John Wolford, who led the ACC and ranked 10th nationally in pass efficiency rating and was intercepted just six times on the season ... had single-game INTs versus Virginia and Florida State ... registered 2+ PBUs in five games including a season-high three against both Baylor and Virginia Tech ... posted four tackles, 1.0 TFL and two PBUs in the Quick Lane Bowl win over Northern Illinois ... became the first player in Duke history to post 5+ INTs and 15+ PBUs in a season ... coupled with teammates Jeremy McDuffie (9), Bryon Fields Jr. (7) and Jordan Hayes (7) to give Duke the lone foursome in the ACC with 7+ PBUs each ... helped Duke rank among the ACC leaders in opponent pass completion percentage (2nd), scoring defense (3rd) and total defense (4th) ... spearheaded a Blue Devil defense that ranked tied for third in the league with 15 defensive INTs, trailing only Boston College (18) and Miami (17) and ranked third in the conference in pass defense by allowing just 179.4 yards per game through the air ... on the field for 914 snaps in 2017. according to Mark Gilbert’s Biography on goduke.com
In 2018 Mark Gilbert Played in two games (two starts) before suffering a season-ending left hip injury at Northwestern ... registered four tackles including a season-high three against Army West Point in the season opener ... on the field for 108 snaps.according to Mark Gilbert’s Biography on goduke.com
In 2019 Mark Gilbert Missed the entire season while recovering from left hip surgery performed on September 9, 2018.according to Mark Gilbert’s Biography on goduke.com