Danny Gilbert Jr.
Defensive Back / Bethany College
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Danny Gilbert Jr: I am 5’9, 170, and I ran a 4.49 during last fall camp.
Alex Khvatov: How did you prepare for the 2020 season with no offseason training?
Danny Gilbert Jr: Every day, I would find ways to grind. Quarantine taught me not to make any excuses. Every day, I was at the park working out. I have weights in my backyard. I have a friend that has a gym in Miami here.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?
Danny Gilbert Jr: I did the 200m and 400m last year at Bethany College. I decided to run track last year. Our track coach was a receiver’s football coach.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Danny Gilbert Jr: It was a challenging and troublesome time for myself in high school. I didn’t play any football in high school. I didn’t have the grades. I graduated from a second chance educational center in Miami, FL. I spent a year there. I got a high school diploma. I had to get myself over the hump.
Alex Khvatov: How did you wind up at Arkansas Baptist College?
Danny Gilbert Jr: State of Florida didn’t have any junior college football when I was coming out. ASA Miami was in the midst of forming. I started looking at different junior colleges. I looked at the coaches at Arkansas Baptist, and they had Richard Wilson who coached at Oklahoma State and Clemson. That was a good start for me. JUCO teaches you a lot. I came a day before the first game. I came late. They were practicing during summer time. I redshirted the first year. Second year, I tore my meniscus and sprained my MCL. I was on the verge of going to Arkansas-Pine Bluff. I was one of the guys who they saw, and they asked about my grades. I had a 3.0 GPA. I had to call the NCAA clearance house. I had to split up my credits and still be eligible for D-I or D-II. I came back for a third year. I played corner, slot and safety. I had 73 tackles and four INT’s last season.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you transfer to Bethany College?
Danny Gilbert Jr: Coach Garvey called me. I was in the midst of going to Morehouse in Atlanta. He texted and checked on me every day. I believed in his mindset. I knew that he would make me a better man and a better athlete. Every phone call he made to me, I felt welcome.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your junior campaign?
Danny Gilbert Jr: My defensive coordinator coach Arnold played for the Steelers. He knows what he wants. Everyone should understand what he is doing on defense. No one knew about me except for coach Garvey and coach Arnold. During the season, coach Arnold would move me around. I played corner, rover, and FS. The first game, I didn’t start. Against pass heavy team, I would always be on the field. I was able to show my ability to cover and tackle. I was able to cover guys in the slot.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Danny Gilbert Jr: I bring the swagger and tenacity. I bring energy and passion to the team. I am a versatile player. Tackling is my strength and I have good speed. I can play anywhere in the secondary.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Danny Gilbert Jr: There is always room for improvement. Trusting my eyes more and read the body language of the receivers better. I need to be more of a vocal leader. My teammates feed of my energy.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Danny Gilbert Jr: Overcoming adversity in my life. I can uplift my teammates. You can overcome anything. I fought every day to get to this point and turn my dreams into reality. Not a lot of people can overcome it. I had a 0.60 GPA in high school. I was following the wrong people. My uncle is incarcerated right now. My dad told me that I could wind up in the same place. That changed my life. I was able to graduate with a 2.0 GPA during that one extra year. I graduated with a 3.0 GPA at a junior college.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?
Danny Gilbert Jr: My head coach and defensive coordinator preach this to us every day. No matter what, real men don’t complain. Real men get things done.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Danny Gilbert Jr: The Dolphins.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Danny Gilbert Jr: My favorite player was Sean Taylor.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?
Danny Gilbert Jr: Sophomore CB Dadrick Vickers, senior WR Stephon Carter, and junior receiver Daniel Thomas.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a DB?
Danny Gilbert Jr: Eyes and hips. You have to trust what you see, flip your hips and come down hard. It is all about finishing.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Danny Gilbert Jr: The contact. I love hitting people. You can hit as much as you want and as hard as you want and not get in trouble for it.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Danny Gilbert Jr: I like to play kickball with the family.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Danny Gilbert Jr: I am a sports medicine major. I want to help juvenile delinquents. I want to help them overcome adversity. I want to be a life coach. I got a second chance and I want to help other people as well.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Danny Gilbert Jr: Courage, honesty, God-fearing, ambitious, and brave.
