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All Rights Reserved

Michael Gaines

Michael Gaines

TE/DE/LB, 6'3, 272, 4.6, 325 BP
Tallahassee, FL

Birthday: 3-30-80
High School: Florida
HS Mascot: Seminoles
HS Coach: Mick Hichman
HS Position: TE/LB
HS Number: 18
AL Number: 18
Official Visits: AL, Mich St, Miami
Second Choice: Michigan State
Host During Alabama Visit: Shamari Buchanan
Committed: 1-18-99
Roommate To Be: Antonio Carter
Academic Status: Not Qualified

Stats

HS Senior Season

Receptions

  • 18 receptions
  • 530 yards
  • 7 TDs

Tackles

  • 110 total
  • 1 QB sacks

Honors

  • All-State
  • Tallahassee Defensive Player of The Year
  • Orlando Sentinel Super 24
  • Team Lineman of The Year
  • Team Playmaker of The Year
  • Team Captain
  • Pigskin Preps Super South 75
  • Forrest Davis All South
  • Prep Star All American
  • GA FL HS All Star Game

SBR Scouting Report

Excellent combination of size and speed. Complete tight end that can block and catch. Runs well after the catch. Could make an impact at tight end or defensive end. Great pass rusher who runs well enough to get a look at linebacker. Projects as a defensive end.

[Observation: senior game film.]

The Cottrell Connection

SBR
Michael Gaines
Gaines

Michael Gaines was coming onto the field for pre-game warm-ups when he noticed a man on the sideline with a big notebook.

"He was wearing an FSU jacket," recalls Gaines. "I said to myself, 'This has got to be a coach from Florida State."

Gaines was right. It was Ronnie Cottrell.

"I'll never forget that game," Gaines says. "I was just a sophomore and I wanted to make a big impression on him."

Gaines did make a big impression. Shortly after that game, he began receiving letters from Cottrell, and over the next few months, the two grew to become close friends.

"My high school is connected to the Florida State campus," Gaines says. "I would drop by his office to see him all the time."

Gaines hoped to join Cottrell at FSU. But following Gaines' junior season, Cottrell surprised everyone in Tallahassee by leaving for Alabama.

"I never thought anything like that would happen," Gaines says. "That day really changed everything. I always thought I was going to FSU. But him leaving opened things up."

Yes, they opened things up for Alabama. Last spring Cottrell invited Gaines to Tuscaloosa for the A-Day game.

"I loved it," Gaines says. "I knew that it was the place for me. I think that everything happens for a reason. Everything just fell into place for me to go to Alabama."

Almost A Change Of Heart

Since last spring, Michael Gaines had been leaning strongly to Alabama. But three weeks before signing day, he was having second thoughts.

Michael Gaines

"I went on a visit to Michigan State and had a great time," Gaines says. "They love people from Florida."

Following that visit, Gaines called Ronnie Cottrell to break the news.

"I told him that I might want to think about Michigan State some," Gaines says. "He just told me to do what I wanted to do."

But a few days later things changed.

"The tight end coach at Michigan State left for the NFL," Gaines says. "I didn't want to go somewhere not knowing the coaching situation."

Gaines knew the coaching situation at Alabama very well.

"I was thinking about Michigan State," Gaines says. "But it would've been too hard for me to tell Coach Cottrell no."

Throwin' The Bows

During his visit to Michigan State, Michael Gaines was the center of attention at all of the parties.

"They hadn't seen anyone dance like me," Gaines says. "They cleared the floor so everybody could watch me dance."

Gaines started a dance craze. His "Throwin the Bows" dance that took East Lansing by storm.

"After my first night up there, I had everybody doing it." Gaines says. "I couldn't believe it. They loved it."

Then a week after his visit, Gaines was watching the Michigan State basketball team play on ESPN.

"One of their players scored and was fouled," Gaines says. "He started 'Throwin the Bows' right there on the court. He did my dance on national TV."

Memorable Freshman Catch

Michael Gaines was just a freshman the night he made the most memorable play of his high school career.

Michael Gaines
Gaines (18)

"There were only 20 seconds left and we were losing by seven points," recalls Gaines. "The worst part about it was they had the ball at our 10 yardline."

It looked like a hopeless situation until Blountstown fumbled.

"On first down we hit a deep post route to their 34. We called a timeout with about two, maybe three seconds left. During the timeout, I told my coach that I wanted the ball."

And he got it.

"I ran a streak pattern towards the corner of the end zone," he says. "At first I thought the ball was way over my head, but I didn't slow up. I dove for it and when I rolled over it was in my hands. Touchdown!"

But the improbable comeback didn't happen. Florida High missed the extra point.

Q&A

TI: Mike, which position do expect to play at Alabama?

MG: I might play both ways, but I expect to mainly be a tight end.

TI: Is there a chance that you might play only on defense?

MG: Yeah, there's a chance of that. It's possible I'll play defensive end.

TI: What about linebacker?

MG: That's possible too. Coach DuBose has said that he might give me a shot at outside linebacker. I might also try inside linebacker.

TI: Describe yourself as a tight end.

MG: God blessed me with great hands and feet. I guess you could compare me to a guy like Shannon Sharpe. I'm a wide receiver in a tight end's body.

TI: Talk about yourself as a defensive player.

MG: Defense is the evil side of Michael Gaines. My mindset on defense is that if they get past me they're going to score. That motivates me play hard on every play and to make every tackle.

TI: Do you have an update on your academics?

MG: I'm just concentrating on the test right now. I'm taking some special classes to help me pass it.