Jardin Gilbert Q&A on transferring home and playing for Blake Baker
10/16/2024
Junior safety Jardin Gilbert grew up in White Castle, just west of Baton Rouge. He spent three seasons at Texas A&M before transferring to LSU. He met the media Tuesday to discuss the Tiger defense and his transfer back home.
On the biggest difference between the defense’s performance vs. Ole Miss and the rest of the season…
“I believe we just trusted the process and trusted what Coach Blake (Baker) has going. Our chemistry is obviously building, and feel like from Week 1 to Week 6, that’s been the main difference.”
On playing for Blake Baker…
“It’s amazing, having a DC with his intensity and his energy and it’s every day. It’s not just sometimes. He comes with the same intensity and energy every day. So as the 11 on the field, we’re willing to run through any wall for him.”
On his learning the LSU scheme under Baker…
“Trusting our process has been his main thing. Trusting what the coaches are teaching, the technique. It’s been fun, though. It’s been fun being able to pick his brain. The only way it works is, you can’t be the line on the paper. You gotta be a ballplayer. And that’s what the 11 people on the field are. We’re all ballplayers.”
On coming to LSU
“Just being home put me in the mindset of wanting to play, wanting to be here. And being around guys that I’ve known and played against like Major Burns. He’s a great, amazing player. We elevate each other, elevate our game and make each other want to play with each other.”
On playing for his hometown school…
“It’s a blessing. It’s a decision I should have made from the jump. I can be honest and admit that. Seeing the names and the faces on the wall just hoping that I can leave my legacy like they did.”
On if players at LSU recruited him to LSU when he entered the portal…
“Not necessarily. As I entered the portal and LSU gave me the opportunity, I knew I wasn’t going to pass it up again.”
On how the pass rush makes life in the secondary easier…
“Oh, they make my job a lot easier. “Sack Swinson” over there, love him to death.”
On Bradyn Swinson…
“He’s a ballplayer. I appreciate him. He comes with the same energy. Great personality, great player great person.”
On who has the most energy on the defense…
“Probably Coach Baker to be honest.”
On turning the page from the Ole Miss win to Saturday at Arkansas…
We have 24 hours to celebrate. After that, it’s the SEC. Everybody’s a good opponent. We can’t dwell on losses or wins. We come to practice and get the good taste out of our mouth or bad taste.”
On Arkansas’s physicality…
“We’re a physical team, too. That’s been Coach Blake’s message—run and hit. That’s our game. That’s right up our alley.”
On playing with Whit Weeks…
“Whit is a dog. I love playing with him. His energy. Coach Baker comes with the same energy every day, and so does he. He’s like a chicken with his head cut off. Every day he brings the same intensity, the same energy, the same love and passion for the game. It’s hard not to like and want to be around those people.”
