Mark Gilbert (American football)

Mark Gilbert Jr. (born June 1, 1997) is an American football cornerback for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Duke and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021. Gilbert has also played for the Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Maulers, and Miami Dolphins.

Personal life and high school

Mark Gilbert Jr. was born on June 1, 1997, to Tonya and Mark Gilbert. He was raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His uncle is Sean Gilbert, a former Pro Bowl defensive tackle, and his cousin is Darrelle Revis, a four-time All-Pro and Super Bowl champion. Gilbert attended Terry Sanford High School, where he played football and basketball.

College career

Rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school, Gilbert chose to attend Duke University. Going into his freshman year, Gilbert was nominated as a second-team all-ACC freshman. He played in 12 games during his freshman year, starting three. In his sophomore year, Gilbert was nominated as a fourth-team All-American before the beginning of the season. Gilbert broke numerous records in his sophomore year, including him becoming the only player in Duke history with 5 or more interceptions and 15 or more passes defended in a single season. In week 2 of his Junior year against Northwestern, Gilbert suffered a season-ending hip injury that caused him to miss the rest of the 2018 college football season, and the entirety of the 2019 college football season. Leading into the 2020 college football season, Gilbert was invited to the NFL combine but opted to remain at Duke. During his fifth year at Duke, he started two games for the Blue Devils before being forced to undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot.

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

After going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, Gilbert was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gilbert did not make the active roster but was signed to the Steelers' practice squad.

Detroit Lions

Before week 8 of the 2021 NFL season, on October 12, 2021, Gilbert was signed off of the Steelers' practice squad by the Detroit Lions. Gilbert was then made a member of the Lions' active roster. He was waived on August 30, 2022.

Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)

On October 1, 2022, Gilbert re-signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad.

Pittsburgh Maulers

Gilbert signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers of the USFL on March 25, 2023. He was released from his contract on August 4, 2023, to sign with an NFL team.

Miami Dolphins

On August 4, 2023, Gilbert signed with the Miami Dolphins. He was waived/injured nine days later. He reverted to the team's injured reserve list on August 14, and was waived from the list on August 18.

Birmingham Stallions

On January 19, 2024, Gilbert was signed by the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL).

References