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When we last left David Gilbert, it was in April, it was a tearful goodbye. His balky foot caused him yet another problem and he missed the entire spring. This left a hole at outside linebacker, that while not a burning question, is a matter that doesn't have such a definitive answer quite yet.
As for Gilbert, little was heard from him until today, when SB Nation sister site The State of The U put this on their Twitter feed.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Word on the mystery DT, remember, it's not official yet, is that it's David Gilbert formerly of Wisconsin.</p>— Lt. Philip Nolan (@TheStateOfTheU) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheStateOfTheU/statuses/350280720104697857">June 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Now before you ask why he's playing defensive tackle, know I had that question and I received clarification. The State of the U said that David Gilbert was going to Miami. He was planning on playing defensive end.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/thegnc">@thegnc</a> The move coincides with word that one of our hybrid DE/LB guys may not make it in, so that would be my guess as to his position</p>— Lt. Philip Nolan (@TheStateOfTheU) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheStateOfTheU/statuses/350348017578151936">June 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
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With a cursory glance at Miami's depth chart, you do see there's a potential hole that gluing a healthy Gilbert into would upgrade. Alex Figueroa's an early-enrolled true freshman who, while he was impressive enough in spring to make it out as a named starter, he's still a three-star, true freshman. He's unproven despite what he's done so far. A healthy Gilbert would be a definite upgrade.
The most obvious question is, though, would Gilbert want to play football? He's been injury prone. And while Miami is close to home, would he be willing to give it a go? A tweet from Jon Gorman of BadgerBlitz.com says yes.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Just got word that Gilbert WILL be playing at Miami. Certainly raises a few questions. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Badgers&src=hash">#Badgers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Canes&src=hash">#Canes</a></p>— Jon Gorman (@Jon_Gorman) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jon_Gorman/statuses/350349793651998721">June 27, 2013</a></blockquote>
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So that's where we stand. The Badgers lost David Gilbert. He unretired today to go closer to home and play defensive end at Miami. He was on track to graduate in May. So it doesn't look like there's going to be an administrative question as to if he's going to play.
But this is an absolute surprise. Any comebacks would have seemed to come looking toward the 2014 NFL Draft. But when The U came calling, apparently Gilbert had to listen.