Gilbert looking to address unfinished business in 2021

After FAU’s loss to Memphis in the Montgomery Bowl, Zyon Gilbert didn’t need a lot of time to get back to his family to discuss what’d come next for his football career.

Gilbert, a Montgomery, Ala. native, only had to drive a short distance from the stadium the Owls ended their 2020 season in to get to his house in his hometown.

What came next was about a week of thinking and conversations with his loved ones about declaring for the NFL draft or returning to FAU for a fifth and final season, with the NCAA giving all fall athletes an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“After the game, I drove right around the corner to the house and I talked to my parents and family about the season,” Gilbert said. “I wanted to come back — finish school, get better, get stronger [and] get faster. Personally, boost my draft stock up. Just putting myself and my family in a better position.”

The way last season ended — three consecutive losses, not competing in the Conference USA championship game and only playing nine games due to COVID19-related cancellations — made Gilbert feel like he had unfinished business to wrap up with FAU.

“Going out like that didn’t leave a good taste in our mouths,” Gilbert said. “Coming back and trying to win another championship was also a big part of that. Last year, our season was kind of short. We played nine games, but it didn’t really feel like we played nine games.”

So when Gilbert, who started in all nine games last year, announced on social media in early January that he was returning to FAU, it was a welcomed sight for an Owls program that’s motivated to win the C-USA title again like it did in 2017 and ‘19.

“To get that experience back at the corner position, we talk about spread offense, you got to have guys who can cover,” FAU coach Willie Taggart said of Gilbert returning. “Hopefully a lot of younger guys learn from him and he takes pride in bringing them along, but also take pride in getting better himself.

Gilbert said he’ll cornerback again for the 2021 season after playing at safety from 2017-19. He recorded an interception and was fifth on the team in tackles (46) in 2020.

Taggart said he can already see improvements in Gilbert’s game through the first two weeks of spring camp.

“I see that this spring he’s really working on his craft to perfect some things,” Taggart said. “It’s great to have him back and his playmaking ability on that side of the ball.”

As for what Gilbert can do to improve his draft stock, Taggart added: “With all corners, just tackling. You got to be able to tackle. We play a lot of man coverage, so working on his man technique and understanding what we’re trying to get out of the play.”