Makhi Gilbert gives Eastern Michigan veteran muscle in the middle
In the 2025 season, Makhi Gilbert played in five games with four starts for Eastern Michigan, finishing with 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 2 quarterback hurries; in 2026, he was named one of the team’s five captains and earned Phil Steele MAC Third Team honors. The 6-foot-3, 282-pound senior brings a sturdy, experienced interior presence, and his calling card is reliable run defense with enough disruption to make offensive coordinators notice. He looks like a strong culture fit for a team that wants toughness, leadership, and a steady trench worker who has already earned trust in the room.
