FORMER TENNESSEE TITANS LINEBACKER DAVID GILBERT SIGNS WITH SHARKS

JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Sharks announced today the signing of former NFL linebacker David Gilbert who signs for his third year of arena football and first year with the Jacksonville Sharks. 

Gilbert (6’6, 250) spent last season in the The Spring League where he played defensive line for the TSL Aviators. Gilbert impressed at the The Spring League Denver showcase where he originally earned a roster spot in 2020 on the Las Vegas Hughes. Gilbert played for the Nebraska Danger in the Indoor Football League during the 2015 season, Colorado Crush during the 2016 IFL season, and played for the Screaming Eagles of the IFL during the 2017 season. During his IFL career he landed 34 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Prior to the IFL, Gilbert was an undrafted NFL free agent that landed a three-year deal his rookie season with the Tennessee Titans where he played linebacker in the 2014 NFL training camp and NFL preseason.

David Gilbert was an impact player at the division I FBS level. Gilbert finished his college at the University of Miami (FL) where he played defensive line. As a senior, he played in all 12 games for the Canes racking up 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Gilbert also returned a fumble for a 72-yard touchdown against Virginia. Gilbert spent the majority of his college career at the University of Wisconsin where he played in 31 games for the Badgers in three seasons totaling 79 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. Gilbert earned All-Big Ten Honorable mention his junior year and earned the Badger Power award his freshman year for weight room dedication. Gilbert also helped the Badgers to the Big Ten Championship where Wisconsin won 70-31 against Nebraska. That season the Badgers also made it to the Rose Bowl where they played against Oregon. 

The towering 6’6 linebacker/defensive end is a native of Coral Springs, FL in Broward County where he played for Northeast High School. He was the #12 top defensive end in the nation his senior year and #44 overall best high school football player in the state of Florida (Rivals.com). Gilbert amassed 130 tackles, 24 sacks, 22 tackles for a loss during his high school career. Gilbert earned All-State, All-County, and All-Area honors and was highly recruited even as a sophomore. Prior to committing to Wisconsin, he also received offers from Kentucky, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Uconn, Purdue, West Virginia, and Louisville.

About the Jacksonville Sharks

The Jacksonville Sharks are members of the National Arena League (NAL). The 2019 & 2017 NAL Champions and ArenaBowl XXIV Champions play all their home games at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Sharks Nation Memberships for the 2022 season are now available. To become a Shark Nation member or for more information please call (904) 621-0700. Follow the Sharks on Facebook at facebook.com/jaxsharks and on Twitter and Instagram @jaxsharks, as well as the Attack Dance Team at facebook.com/sharkattackdance and Chum at facebook.com/chumsharks.