Ali Gaye

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.^[1] He attended Edmonds Woodway High School and was named All-Wesco 3A/2A in each of his final three seasons.^[2][3] 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.^[4] He ultimately was not accepted by the university due to failing to meet the school's SAT requirement.^[2]

Gaye began his collegiate career at Arizona Western College.^[5] 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.^[6] Gaye committed to transfer to LSU for his final two seasons of eligibility over offers from Oklahoma and Nebraska.^[7][8]

Gaye was named a starter at defensive end for the Tigers.^[9][10] 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.^[11] 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.^[12]