James Gayle (linebacker)

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James Gayle
James Gayle (defensive end) 2013.jpg
Gayle with Virginia Tech in 2013
No. 99
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1991-02-15) February 15, 1991 (age 33)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:259 lb (117 kg)
Career information
High school: Hampton (VA) Bethel
College: Virginia Tech
Undrafted: 2014
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-ACC (2011, 2012)
Player stats at PFR

James Rashaan Gayle (born February 15, 1991) is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Virginia Tech. He signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

Contents

High school

Gayle attended Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia. A second-team All-Peninsula District member as a defensive end, he recorded 96 tackles (60 solo) and 12 sacks as a defensive end his senior season, and registered 56 solo tackles and 10 sacks as a junior.

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com , he was rated the 25th best strongside defensive end in the nation. [1] He accepted a scholarship offer from Virginia Tech over offers from East Carolina, NC State, Purdue, Syracuse and UCF. [2]

College career

In 2009, Gayle redshirted as a freshman. In 2010, he started two games while playing in all 14 games. He totaled 13 tackles, including 6.5 for loss, four sacks and twelve quarterback hurries. In 2011, he garnered second-team All-ACC honors after recording 38 tackles, including 12.5 for loss, seven sacks, along with 20 quarterback hurries on the season. In 2012, Gayle played in all 13 games, starting 11. He recorded 43 tackles on the season, including 11 for loss, five sacks, and 27 quarterback hurries. He earned second-team All-ACC honors for the second consecutive season. [3] In his final season in 2013, he started all 13 games, and totaled 44 tackles, 10.5 for loss, and six sacks, and was a conference honorable mention.

For his career, he totaled 138 tackles, including 40.5 for loss, and 22 sacks.

Professional career

2014 NFL Combine

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4 in
(1.93 m)		259 lb
(117 kg)		32+3⁄8 in
(0.82 m)		9+5⁄84.70 s4.27 s7.19 s37 in
(0.94 m)		10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)		26 reps
All values from NFL Combine [4]

2014 NFL Draft

Gayle, who was originally projected as a fourth or fifth round pick, was not selected in the 2014 NFL draft, despite a strong combine performance. Gayle himself said it was due to an injury he suffered from during the 2013 season. Gayle said he was upset that he fell undrafted because of his minor injury because he played with it throughout his whole Senior year. He also said it was understandable though, considering he missed the Senior Bowl with his bad shoulder.

Tennessee Titans

On May 12, 2014, it was reported Gayle signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. He received shoulder surgery on June 12. [5]

Washington Redskins

Gayle signed a futures contract with Washington on January 3, 2015. [6] He was waived/injured on May 18. [7] After going unclaimed by waivers, he was placed on the injured reserve list.

On June 1, 2016, Gayle was waived by Washington. [8]

Personal life

His uncle, Shaun Gayle, is a former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion who played safety for the Chicago Bears. [9]

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References

  1. ↑ James Gayle - Yahoo Sports
  2. ↑ DE James Gayle Commits To VT
  3. ↑ Hokies' Gayle Earns All-ACC Honor
  4. ↑ NFL Combine Profile
  5. ↑ Wyatt, Jim (June 12, 2014). "Titans rookie LB James Gayle has shoulder surgery". Tennessean.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  6. ↑ Jones, Mike (January 3, 2015). "Redskins sign former Hokie James Gayle and CFL DE Kenneth Horsley". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  7. ↑ Keim, John (May 18, 2015). "Redskins sign Alonzo Highsmith Jr., release five players". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  8. ↑ "06/01: Redskins Make Roster Move". Redskins.com. June 1, 2016. Archived from the original on June 2, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  9. ↑ Mayer, Larry (February 25, 2014). "Some draft prospects have Bears' ties". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
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