After being shut out of the starting lineup by a pair of top-notch veteran cornerbacks for two years, Gilbert made the most of his first opportunity as a starter in 2008, establishing himself as one of the nation’s top corners in his own right ... boasts all of the skills of a successful cornerback, including coverage and tackling ability and a high football IQ ... entering his second year as the starter at left cornerback.

2008 : In his first year as a starter, earned second-team all-America recognition from The Sports Network ... was a first-team all-Southern Conference honoree by the league’s coaches and media ... tied for second nationally with 19 total passes defended (17 break-ups and two interceptions) ... led all ASU defensive backs and ranked fourth on the team overall with 72 tackles (45 solo) from his left cornerback position ... broke up at least one pass in 10-of-14 games ... registered multiple tackles in 13-of-14 contests and had four or more stops in 11-of-14 ... got his only two interceptions of the season in win over Presbyterian ... also broke up a pass against the pass-happy Blue Hose ... enjoyed his true coming out party the next week versus 12th-ranked The Citadel, notching 11 tackles and breaking up two passes while limiting all-America wide receiver Andre Roberts to just 52 yards (59 below his average) ... was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week for his effort versus the Bulldogs ... turned in another impressive performance the following week at Samford, making eight tackles (seven solo), breaking up two passes and turning the momentum in ASU’s favor by blocking a field goal in the second quarter of a 35-24 win ... broke up three passes in thrilling one-point win at Georgia Southern ... once again proved his meddle against one of the nation’s top receivers by holding Elon all-American Terrell Hudgins to just 23 yards on three catches (70 yards and four catches below his season averages).

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 21 during season) ... son of Faith Gilbert ... cousins, Sean Gilbert and Derrell Revis, both played football at the University of Pittsburgh and Revis now plays professionally for the New York Jets ... Cortez majors in social work ... enjoys mentoring young children ... worked as a counselor at the Kanakuk Kamps Christian-based summer camps during the summers of 2006 and ‘07 ... 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.