Gilbert OK to work in Bush’s shadow
Akron product works in shadow of Bush
Devin Bush hurried off the field flanked by veteran players, weaving through microphones and recorders trying to catch a sound bite from the No. 10 overall pick.
Trailing behind him was Ulysees Gilbert III, the “other” undersized but speedy new-school inside linebacker the Steelers used a draft choice on a little more than a month ago. Even at 5-feet-11, 234 pounds, Bush can cast a large shadow over his fellow Steelers rookies.
“I mean, you can feel like that, but with me, I don’t look at it that way,” Gilbert said Thursday, the final practice of organized team activities. “I look at it as, we all got together on this team and we all have opportunity. I know he’s first-round, but he’s a wonderful player, so he deserves all that he gets.”
But this is Gilbert’s story, the one of what to call him, what he wants to bring to the Steelers and what motivates him as a sixth-round selection trying to find his way.
For starters, that name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, and it’s not even spelled the same as President Ulysses S. Grant. As a three-year starter and twotime first-team all-conference player at Akron, everyone called him “UG” for his unusual initials. Here on the South Side, he tells his new coaches and teammates to call him “See,” but some just say “Uly” (pronounced U-Lee).
The 6-0, 230-pound native of Ocala, Fla., just goes with the flow. While Bush slotted right in with the starting defense, Gilbert has been getting his feet wet with the backups, but he understands the process.
“I’ve learned different ways to guard a tight end or the running back, the smart ways to do it, certain ways how to play inside and out,” Gilbert said. “Pretty much just bettering my technique from college.”
Speaking of college, Gilbert takes pride in how he ascended to the professional level. Sure, the Steelers have gobbled up their fair share of talent from the MidAmerican Conference, but Gilbert is the first Akron product to be drafted since 2016 and only the second since 2008. The Zips have a new coaching staff, but Gilbert hopes whatever success may await him in the NFL will have a positive impact on his alma mater.
“I’m just glad I’m able to give those guys hope,” said Gilbert, a captain who played in every game of his Akron career, “because coming from a school like that, sometimes you can get down on yourself, thinking you might not get a chance.”
Gilbert has one now, because of his college production as well as his 40-yard dash time, which was clocked consistently between 4.46 and 4.51 seconds, he said. Not quite Bush, but not far behind.
That’s one trait that endeared him to the Steelers, but so did his physicality and his playmaking. Gilbert forced two fumbles as a sophomore, picked off three passes as a junior and returned two fumbles for touchdowns last season. He didn’t grab any interceptions in OTAs, but he was glad to receive some positive feedback from coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert after breaking the huddle Thursday.
“Overall, I feel like I’ve made plays and I’ve made mistakes,” said Gilbert, who has also been used in coverage against slot receivers. “That’s all just part of the game.”
Off the field, Gilbert has taken to exploring his new city — walking, bicycling and sitting by the water to relax. He doesn’t have a car here, so one day he wandered across the Hot Metal Bridge, took a left, “and just kept walking.” He’ll need that kind of motor to make an impact on special teams, which might be how he can make this team, but he’s not sweating any of that pressure just yet.
In fact, his other new hobby is devouring inspirational books, and he’s currently reading “Good Vibes, Good Life: How Self-Love Is the Key to Unlocking Your Greatness” by Vex King.
“Your mindset is your first thing about you that just helps your day,” Gilbert said.
“If your mindset is negative, then your day is going to be negative, and that’s what I believe.”