Freshman TE Luka Gilbert and Cincinnati native Luka Gilbert has been turning heads since arriving in spring. He spoke with CanesInSight's DMoney to discuss his progress, the TE room, and more:
How was the summer
It was good. I got a lot faster, a lot stronger. I gained probably close to 10 pounds of good weight, and I'm excited to get the pads on and get rolling.
Where are you at height, weight-wise?
6-foot-7, 6-foot-8, depends on the day, and I’m 260 in the mornings. I probably walk around at 263, maybe.
Comparing the Florida Summers to the Ohio Summers
It's hot in Ohio in the summer. It's very humid here a lot, and going from inside this facility to going out gives you a shock because it's so nice in here (the IPF). It's probably 70, 65 degrees here. It feels really good here. And then when you get outside, you're like, "Man, it's hot." But it's hot in Ohio as well.
What are you focused on?
I feel like I have a lot to work on. I know that I'm not a complete player right now, and I have a lot to work on. My coaches will tell you that. I'm just really trying to hone in on each little facet of the game and learn the technique that they want me to learn and be the best player I can be this season.
What's it been like going to school in Miami? The overall feeling?
It's awesome. I mean, everything about The U, just the brand, the coaches, the people around. It's really like a family, and the culture is great here. I love it. I love every second here. I love the school. I learn a lot. I love football, the practices. I love it. I'm getting a lot better every day. I'm just really excited just to stay here and harvest and just keep on getting better.
How would you describe your game to Hurricanes fans?
I'd say that I'm not afraid to hit anybody. My mindset going into things, I'm not afraid of any contact. I'm going to lay my body on the line for the team if that's what they need. I just love hitting people. I love getting the ball, obviously, but blocking is what I love the most. Just imposing your will on somebody, something about that, I just love it.
What are your personal goals for this upcoming season?
I have expectations for myself, like everybody does. But, honestly, I'm going to try and carve out my role in this fall camp, and whatever that role is for the rest of the season, I'm just going to do the best of my ability to help the team out. So, whatever that is, if that's special teams, if that plays at tight end, whatever it is, I'm going to just try and help the team. Even if it's on the sidelines, just passing on water, whatever it is, I just want to help the team.
How was the summer
It was good. I got a lot faster, a lot stronger. I gained probably close to 10 pounds of good weight, and I'm excited to get the pads on and get rolling.
Where are you at height, weight-wise?
6-foot-7, 6-foot-8, depends on the day, and I’m 260 in the mornings. I probably walk around at 263, maybe.
Comparing the Florida Summers to the Ohio Summers
It's hot in Ohio in the summer. It's very humid here a lot, and going from inside this facility to going out gives you a shock because it's so nice in here (the IPF). It's probably 70, 65 degrees here. It feels really good here. And then when you get outside, you're like, "Man, it's hot." But it's hot in Ohio as well.
What are you focused on?
I feel like I have a lot to work on. I know that I'm not a complete player right now, and I have a lot to work on. My coaches will tell you that. I'm just really trying to hone in on each little facet of the game and learn the technique that they want me to learn and be the best player I can be this season.
What's it been like going to school in Miami? The overall feeling?
It's awesome. I mean, everything about The U, just the brand, the coaches, the people around. It's really like a family, and the culture is great here. I love it. I love every second here. I love the school. I learn a lot. I love football, the practices. I love it. I'm getting a lot better every day. I'm just really excited just to stay here and harvest and just keep on getting better.
How would you describe your game to Hurricanes fans?
I'd say that I'm not afraid to hit anybody. My mindset going into things, I'm not afraid of any contact. I'm going to lay my body on the line for the team if that's what they need. I just love hitting people. I love getting the ball, obviously, but blocking is what I love the most. Just imposing your will on somebody, something about that, I just love it.
What are your personal goals for this upcoming season?
I have expectations for myself, like everybody does. But, honestly, I'm going to try and carve out my role in this fall camp, and whatever that role is for the rest of the season, I'm just going to do the best of my ability to help the team out. So, whatever that is, if that's special teams, if that plays at tight end, whatever it is, I'm going to just try and help the team. Even if it's on the sidelines, just passing on water, whatever it is, I just want to help the team.
