Ali Gaye
| No. 99 – Tennessee Titans | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | November 29, 1998 The Gambia |
| Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Weight: | 265 lb (120 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Edmonds Woodway (Edmonds, Washington) |
| College: | Arizona Western (2018) Garden City CC (2019) LSU (2020–2022) |
| Undrafted: | 2023 |
| Career history | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Roster status: | Active |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Ali Gaye (born November 29, 1998) is a Gambian professional American football linebacker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU.
Early life and high school
[edit]Gaye was born in The Gambia and immigrated to the United States with his family when he was 12, settling in Everett, Washington. He began playing American football in eighth grade at the age of 14. He attended Edmonds Woodway High School and was named All-Wesco 3A/2A in each of his final three seasons.[1][2] Gaye was rated a three-star recruit and initially signed a letter of intent to play college football at the University of Washington and grayshirt his freshman season over offers from USC, Arizona, California and Mississippi.[3] He ultimately was not accepted by the university due to failing to meet the school's SAT requirement.[1]
College career
[edit]Gaye began his collegiate career at Arizona Western College.[4] He transferred to Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas before his sophomore year after Arizona Western disbanded their football team. Gaye was named to the first team All-Jayhawk League after finishing the season with 44 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble and two blocked kicks.[5] Gaye committed to transfer to LSU for his final two seasons of eligibility over offers from Oklahoma and Nebraska.[6][7]
Gaye was named a starter at defensive end for the Tigers.[8][9] In his first game with the team, he recorded three tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack while also having a team-high three passes defended.[10] Gaye finished the season with 32 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and six passes defended and was named second team All-Southeastern Conference.[11]
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Bench press | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
263 lb (119 kg) |
34+1⁄4 in (0.87 m) |
9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) |
19 reps | ||||||||
| Sources:[12][13] | ||||||||||||
Houston Texans
[edit]Gaye was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023.[14] He was waived on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad.[15][16] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 22, 2024.[17] He was waived on August 27.[18]
Tennessee Titans
[edit]Gaye was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans on August 28, 2024.[19]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Hereth, Zac (June 18, 2019). "Road less traveled leads former E-W football star to LSU". The Everett Herald. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ Alexander, Wilson (October 1, 2020). "AAli Gaye's uncommon route from The Gambia to LSU leads him to the cusp of stardom". The Advocate. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
- ^ Caple, Christian (January 23, 2017). "Edmonds-Woodway DE prospect Ali Gaye announces commitment to Huskies". The News Tribune. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ Dixon, Shea (August 27, 2019). "LSU's Ali Gaye now No. 1 SDE in JUCO". 247Sports.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ West, Glen (March 30, 2020). "LSU Football Players Most Likely to Break Out in 2020: No. 12 Ali Gaye, Defensive End". SI.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ Dixon, Shea (June 10, 2019). "BREAKING: Ali Gaye commits to LSU". 247Sports.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Brian (June 22, 2020). "Transfer Ali Gaye Provides LSU Football With Impact Edge Rusher Talent". SI.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ "Ali Gaye named starter for LSU; open cornerback positions reach clarity". The Advocate. September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ Miller, Brody (September 22, 2020). "'You can't teach that size': Ali Gaye's journey from The Gambia to LSU starter". The Athletic. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ Shipp, Sonny (September 28, 2020). "Ali Gaye named to the Pro Football Focus Team of the Week". 247Sports.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ West, Glen (December 31, 2020). "LSU Football Defensive End Ali Gaye Announces Return for 2021 Season". SI.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ "Ali Gaye Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "2023 NFL Draft Scout Ali Gaye College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (5-12-2023)". HoustonTexans.com. May 12, 2023.
- ^ "Texans announce initial 53-man roster". HoustonTexans.com. August 29, 2023.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (8-30-2023)". HoustonTexans.com. August 30, 2023.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (1-22-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. January 22, 2024.
- ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (08-27-2024)". HoustonTexans.com. August 27, 2024.
- ^ Wyatt, Jim (August 28, 2024). "Titans Claim Two Players Off Waivers, and Part Ways With Two Others". TennesseeTitans.com.