Duke football starting cornerback Mark Gilbert opts out, declares for draft

Duke football starting cornerback Mark Gilbert has opted out for the remainder of the college football season to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Another brutal blow for the 1-5 Duke Blue Devils as for the second time this week David Cutcliffe has seen a player opt-out of the remainder of the season.

Following the opt-out of backup quarterback Chris Katrenick because of personal reasons, cornerback Mark Gilbert has opted out to focus his attention on the 2021 NFL Draft.

It’s not surprising to see Gilbert opt-out and focus on the next step in his football journey as the cornerback has suffered brutal injuries in his Blue Devil career.

ALSO READ: Duke backup quarterback Chris Katrenick opts out of 2020 season

Mark Gilbert made the announcement via his Twitter page on Monday afternoon.

https://twitter.com/MGilbert_3/status/1320732577469181952?s=20

The All-ACC selection in 2017 suffered a dislocated hip in the second game of the season in 2018, where he was expected to leave Durham following the season to enter the NFL Draft.

Following surgery, Gilbert remained at Duke to rehab but missed the entire 2019 season because of the same injury.

The Fayetteville, North Carolina native made his return to the football field this season for Duke’s season opener against Notre Dame.

Mark Gilbert recorded seven total tackles against the Fighting Irish and was back on the field for Week 2 against the Boston College Eagles and picked up his first interception since November 25, 2017.

ALSO READ: Jamison Crowder sidelined once again with groin injury

Following the loss against Boston College, Duke announced that Gilbert would be out indefinitely after needing surgery to remove a loose bone fragment in his right foot.

For his 2020 season, Gilbert will see his time with Duke end with eight tackles and the lone interception, and for his Blue Devil career, he finishes with 65 tackles, 14 pass deflections, and seven interceptions.

It remains to be seen where Mark Gilbert will stack up in the cornerback class of this year’s upcoming draft due to his injury history, but when at full strength, the 6-foot-1 defensive back could be a top-tier defender in the NFL.

Duke will host Charlotte in its lone non-conference game of the season at 7:00pm EST on Regional Sports Networks.