Ali Gaye
{{Short description|Gambian-American football player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Ali Gaye
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| currentteam = Tennessee Titans
| number = 99
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|11|29}}
| birth_place = The Gambia
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 6
| weight_lb = 265
| high_school = Edmonds Woodway {{avoid wrap|(Edmonds, Washington, U.S.)}}
| college = Arizona Western (2018)
Garden City CC (2019)
LSU (2020–2022)
| undraftedyear = 2023
| pastteams =
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2023|2024}})*
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statleague = NFL
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 8
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 1.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 =
| pfr = GayeAl01
}}
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 for the LSU Tigers.
Early life
Gaye was born in The Gambia and immigrated to the United States with his family when he was 12, settling in Everett, Washington. Although he was initially a soccer player in his youth, Gaye later began playing American football in eighth grade at the age of 14.{{cite web |last=Petrowski |first=Doug |website=myendmondsnews.com |date=Sep 9, 2024 |title=Edmonds-Woodway grad Ali Gaye makes Tennessee Titans roster |url=https://myedmondsnews.com/2024/09/edmonds-woodway-grad-ali-gaye-makes-tennessee-titans-roster/ |access-date=Dec 19, 2024}} He attended Edmonds Woodway High School and was named All-Wesco 3A/2A in each of his final three seasons.{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_85976830-0418-11eb-8a9e-93983b0b405d.html|title=AAli Gaye's uncommon route from The Gambia to LSU leads him to the cusp of stardom|first=Wilson|last=Alexander|work=The Advocate|date=October 1, 2020|access-date=October 2, 2020}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/college/university-of-washington/huskies-insider-blog/article128358899.html|title=Edmonds-Woodway DE prospect Ali Gaye announces commitment to Huskies|first=Christian|last=Caple|work=The News Tribune|date=January 23, 2017|access-date=September 28, 2020}} He ultimately was not accepted by the university due to failing to meet the school's SAT requirement.{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldnet.com/sports/e-w-alumnus-gaye-has-taken-a-different-path-to-d-i-football/|title=Road less traveled leads former E-W football star to LSU|first=Zac|last=Hereth|work=The Everett Herald|date=June 18, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2020}}
College career
Gaye began his collegiate career at Arizona Western College.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/lsu/Article/LSU-Tigers-football-recruiting-Ali-Gaye-Garden-City-Community-College-ranking-247Sports-134835563/|title=LSU's Ali Gaye now No. 1 SDE in JUCO|first=Shea|last=Dixon|website=247Sports.com|date=August 27, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2020}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/lsu-players-breakout-ali-gaye|title=LSU Football Players Most Likely to Break Out in 2020: No. 12 Ali Gaye, Defensive End|first=Glen|last=West|website=SI.com|date=March 30, 2020|access-date=September 28, 2020}} Gaye committed to transfer to LSU for his final two seasons of eligibility over offers from Oklahoma and Nebraska.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/lsu/Article/LSU-Tigers-football-recruiting-Ali-Gaye-commits-JUCO-Garden-City-Community-College-132747640/|title=BREAKING: Ali Gaye commits to LSU|first=Shea|last=Dixon|website=247Sports.com|date=June 10, 2019|access-date=September 28, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/ali-gaye-film-study|title=Transfer Ali Gaye Provides LSU Football With Impact Edge Rusher Talent|first=Brian|last=Smith|website=SI.com|date=June 22, 2020|access-date=September 28, 2020}}
Gaye was named a starter at defensive end for the Tigers.{{cite web|url=https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_5f6e9e7c-fc42-11ea-9b7b-1704fafe3ad7.htmll|title=Ali Gaye named starter for LSU; open cornerback positions reach clarity|work=The Advocate|date=September 21, 2020|access-date=September 28, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2083820/2020/09/22/lsu-football-alu-gaye-defensive-end-juco-journey/|title=‘You can’t teach that size’: Ali Gaye’s journey from The Gambia to LSU starter|first=Brody|last=Miller|work=The Athletic|date=September 22, 2020|access-date=September 28, 2020}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/lsu/Article/LSU-Football-Ali-Gaye-named-to-Pro-Football-Focus-Team-of-the-Week-152114720/|title=Ali Gaye named to the Pro Football Focus Team of the Week|first=Sonny|last=Shipp|website=247Sports.com|date=September 28, 2020|access-date=September 28, 2020}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college/lsu/football/lsu-ali-gaye-announces-return|title=LSU Football Defensive End Ali Gaye Announces Return for 2021 Season|first=Glen|last=West|website=SI.com|date=December 31, 2020|access-date=February 4, 2021}}
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 6
| weight = 263
| bench = 19
| arm span = 34 1/4
| hand span = 9 1/2
| note = Sources:{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ali-gaye/32004741-5954-5877-64c1-07a7b7a86e8f |title=Ali Gaye Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 26, 2023}}{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1051797&DraftYear=2023 |title=2023 NFL Draft Scout Ali Gaye College Football Profile |access-date=April 26, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}
}}
=Houston Texans=
Gaye was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (5-12-2023)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-5-12-2023|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=May 12, 2023}} He was waived on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=Texans announce initial 53-man roster|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/texans-announce-initial-53-man-roster|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=August 29, 2023}}{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (8-30-2023)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-8-30-2023|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=August 30, 2023}} He signed a reserve/future contract on January 22, 2024.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (1-22-2024)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-1-22-2024|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=January 22, 2024}} He was waived on August 27.{{cite web|title=Houston Texans Transactions (08-27-2024)|url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/houston-texans-transactions-08-27-2024|website=HoustonTexans.com|date=August 27, 2024}}
=Tennessee Titans=
Gaye was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans on August 28, 2024, and made the team's final roster as a rotational outside linebacker for the 2024 season.{{cite web|title=Titans Claim Two Players Off Waivers, and Part Ways With Two Others|url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-claim-two-players-off-waivers-and-part-ways-with-two-others|author=Wyatt, Jim|website=TennesseeTitans.com|date=August 28, 2024}} Gaye made his professional debut on special teams during Week 2's game against the New York Jets. He made his first career sack against C. J. Stroud during a Week 12 road win against the Houston Texans. He played 15 games during the 2024 season, finishing his rookie year with eight tackles (seven solo).{{Cite web |title=Ali Gaye 2024 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GayeAl01.htm |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.houstontexans.com/team/players-roster/ali-gaye/ Houston Texans bio]
- [https://www.accac.org/sports/fball/2018-19/players/aligayeufqz Arizona Western Matadors bio]
- [https://www.gobroncbusters.com/sports/fball/2019-20/bios/gaye_ali_86ig Garden City Bronco Busters bio]
- [https://lsusports.net/sports/fb/roster/player/ali-gaye/ LSU Tigers bio]
{{Tennessee Titans roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaye, Ali}}
Category:Players of American football from Washington (state)
Category:Gambian players of American football
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Arizona Western Matadors football players
Category:Garden City Broncbusters football players
Category:LSU Tigers football players