ASU #5 Cortez Gilbert
DB 5-11 175
Jr.
Goldsboro, N.C.
(Charles B. Aycock)
Extremely talented cornerback was thrust into spotlight with starts in last year’s national quarterfinals and national championship game ... boasts top-notch cover and tackling skills ... is slated to take over the left cornerback spot occupied the past four years by the player with the second-most pass break-ups in FCS history, Justin Woazeah.
2007: Appeared in 13 games, making two starts in the Apps’ postseason run to their third-straight national title ... started in place of injured right cornerback Jerome Touchstone versus Eastern Washington in the national quarterfinals and in place of suspended left cornerback Justin Woazeah in the national championship contest ... broke up a pass while helping limit Eastern Washington’s vaunted aerial attack to its lowest passing total of the season at 185 yards, 120 below its season average ... versus offensive juggernaut Delaware in the national title game, finished second on the squad with nine tackles, including being in on one behind the line of scrimmage ... finished season with 27 total tackles (16 solo), mostly in a reserve or special-teams role ... returned a fumbled punt 32 yards for a touchdown to seal win over Northern Arizona ... notched first career interception versus Gardner-Webb ... missed games versus The Citadel and Western Carolina due to an ankle injury.
2006: Played in all 15 games as a true freshman ... made 20 tackles (11 solo) and broke up a pair of passes ... notched season-best five tackles in blowout win at Chattanooga ... ranked second on the team with four kick returns for 79 yards.
High School: Shrine Bowl participant racked up a school-record 174 tackles and three interceptions as a senior ... familiar with all defensive backfield positions, playing mostly free safety as a prep ... also registered over 1,000 all-purpose yards as a wide receiver, punt returner and kick returner ... ran back a punt and a kick for scores in 2005 ... named first-team 3A all-state defensive back by NCPreps.com.
Personal: Full name is Cortez Dorian Gilbert ... born August 10, 1988 (turns 20 during season) ... son of Faith Gilbert ... cousins Sean Gilbert and Derrell Revis both played football at Pitt ... majoring in chemistry ... enjoys mentoring young children ... is an active member of ASU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Board ... emcee’d ASU’s annual all-sports banquet at the end of the 2007-08 academic year.
