Georgia five-star 2025 DB Jontae Gilbert back to doing it all
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Put him at any skill position on the gridiron and watch him prevail, that is the story of Jontae Gilbert out of Douglas High School (Atlanta, Ga.). The five-star Class of 2025 prospect is on track to make some collegiate squad very happy as a defensive back, but for the reminder of his high school days, Gilbert (6-1, 185) will be that guy dropping fans’ jaws for the Astros in all three phases of the game.
The Astros opened their 2023 schedule earning a 21-18 victory over Mays. Gilbert laid out his week-to-week duties for Douglas.
“They have me playing nickelback, safety, receiver, running back, and even a little bit at slot receiver,” Gilbert stated.
The stat line in the win over Mays stacks up, and includes returning punts: two carries for 14 yards, two receptions for 31 yards, three tackles, one tackle for a loss, and one punt returned.
The summer months were all about preparing for the upcoming 3A schedule.
“In the morning time I would go with my trainer working on my upper and lower body, and also doing speed training,” Gilbert said. “Then I would go to practice, and after that I would watch film with the team.”
The athleticism and dedication to the game has brought 24 offers with some additional scholarship opportunities in the works.
“North Carolina, Clemson is showing a lot of love right now, and I just got off the phone with West Virginia,” Gilbert shared.
Jontae Gilbert with Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
There’s a long list of teams heavily recruiting Gilbert, including the program he was previously committed to, Ohio State.
“Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio State, even though I decommitted from there,” Gilbert stated. “USC is reaching out a lot and so is NC State.”
Over the summer Gilbert camped with NC State, South Carolina, Tennessee, USC, Georgia Tech and performed in private workouts for Alabama and Georgia. Gilbert commented on the workouts for the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs.
“It went great,” Gilbert said. “I got to compete against other top guys; it was great. Going against top guys, I got to guard top receivers in the ‘24 and ’25 class.”
Gilbert spoke about his relationship with the Bulldogs’ coaching staff, “Coach Fran (Brown – DB) and coach (Will) Muschamp (co-DC) are my guys. They send me videos of them practicing each week; it is good.”
One game-day visit is locked on the schedule ready to see the hometown team Yellow Jackets play in the season opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“Even though Louisville verses Georgia Tech is a neutral site game, I am going to that one,” Gilbert stated. “That is the only game I have planned.”
New Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key is personally recruiting Gilbert trying to keep him home for college.
“I have a great relationship with coach Key; he calls me almost every week,” Gilbert shared. “Coach (Travares) Tillman (DB) and coach “Thack” (Andrew Thacker – DC), I have a good relationship with them as well.”
After committing to the Buckeyes on July 29, 2022, and opening his recruiting process back up on July 20, 2023, Gilbert was asked what is important to him going forward with his recruiting process.
“Building relationships, seeing the schools, seeing how the schools work, development, and can I play early when I get there,” Gilbert said.