In the Gilbert household, you could say it’s a “family thing.”
Only son Marcus is ahead in the battle to take over the starting right tackle position vacated by the graduated Jason Watkins for the defending national champion Florida Gators. In most households, that would be enough to make you top dog at the dinner table when it comes to talking about your day.
However, when Marcus Gilbert heads home to Fort Lauderdale, there is someone who can trump him in the story department. His father Jeffery is a Secret Service agent, assigned on detail last year to protect President Barack Obama.
Surely, that made for some interesting debates at the dinner table on who had the tougher job.
Regardless, Gilbert seems genuinely proud of the accomplishments of his father. Surely, some of the fringe benefits of having a relative whose job is to protect the President of the United States are nice to have.
Case in point: Gilbert had a private audience with Obama during a stop on the campaign trail last fall. “I met him at the BankAtlantic Center rally,” Gilbert said of the face-to-face sit down. “We talked about how football was going. He was rooting for the Gators during the season. Just to talk to him about those things, it was pretty cool of him.”
So, was the 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive tackle nervous when meeting the leader of the free world?
“At first I was,” Gilbert said. “Meeting the President-elect, you know? It was a pretty sweet deal.”
There is always a sense of urgency on the campaign trail, and now Marcus Gilbert is starting to feel that pressure as well. While he saw some playing time last year as a redshirt sophomore, Gilbert knows the time is now if he wants to win a starting spot.
With that in mind, he’s a full go this spring in working to get better as a football player. The goal? “Trying to get my level of play up,” he said. “It’s my fourth year.”
After shoulder injuries forced Jim Tartt to the bench early last season, Florida looked to Gilbert to fill the void at left guard. Forced to adjust to a new role, Gilbert admits he didn’t fully take advantage of the opportunity.
“When I first came here, I was a tackle. I had everything down pat,” he said. “Then moving to [left] guard because of a couple of injuries, it was a big shock. I had to learn this position real quick.”
Gilbert would start the Hawaii and Miami games before giving way to Carl Johnson, who would solidify the position over the final two-thirds of the season.
It’s a new year now, however. Gilbert has returned to his natural position at right tackle and seems much more comfortable with the position. “Being back at tackle is good,” he said on Wednesday.
Still, nothing is given or promised on this team. Gilbert is quick to acknowledge the play of youngsters like David Young and Nick Alajajian, both of whom have looked solid over the course of the spring.
While Gilbert admits to “being pushed by the younger guys coming up,” it’s still his job to lose. On whether or not he could be pushed from the top of the depth chart at right tackle, without a hint of emotion and a quick glance, the response was not subtle. “I don’t think so,” he said.
In a crucial battle to win the right tackle slot, there is still plenty of work to be done, but Marcus Gilbert looks to be on his way to securing a slot in the starting lineup this fall.
Even with the long road ahead this summer, if Gilbert struggles or needs a pick-me-up, he knows he doesn’t have to turn far to look for inspiration.
“Seeing my Dad on television with Obama. That’s a cool thing,” he said.
Being the son of a Secret Service agent definitely has its benefits.