Matt Ryan spent his day off from football pulling off the ultimate surprise for Marietta High School football player, Arik Gilbert.
Ryan awarded Gilbert the trophy for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.
"When I first walked in, I was like, 'Why is Matt Ryan about to shake my hand?' But no, it was crazy," Gilbert said following the presentation. "I don't know what I thought I was walking into the weight room for. This is unreal. I was a little bit star struck, I'm not going to lie."
Gilbert, a 6-foot-5, 255-pound tight end has committed to LSU and is expected to sign his national letter of intent and become a Tiger.
Ryan said he plans to follow Gilbert's career in the SEC and gave quite the endorsement of the 5-star prospect.
"I've got to start eating better and taking care of my body because I'd like to play with him in Atlanta in a few years, Ryan said. "That'd be a lot of fun. He's got the perfect build to play in this league, and he looks like he could kind of do it already. He's big and strong. He'd be a great addition to our arsenal in the future."
Gilbert caught 243 passes for 3,540 yards and 35 touchdowns during his career at Marietta High School.
