5 things to know about new Rams DT Greg GainesBy: Andrew Ortenberg
The Los Angeles Rams made another draft-day trade, moving up with the New England Patriots. With the pick they added, they drafted defensive tackle Greg Gaines from Washington. Gaines was teammates in college with Taylor Rapp, who the Rams took in the second round.
Here are five facts to know about the Rams’ new run-stuffer:
1. He grew up in Los Angeles
Like new cornerback David Long, Gaines is a SoCal native. Going to the Rams will be a homecoming for Gaines, who grew up in La Habra and went to La Habra High School.
Notably, he went to high school with Kyle Peko, another defensive tackle currently in the NFL with the Bills. Gaines was originally committed to play at Boise State, but switched to Washington after head coach Chris Peterson left Boise to take the job with the Huskies.
Gaines wasn’t highly regarded coming out of high school and was ranked the 48th-best defensive tackle by 247Sports.
2. He just had a baby
It’s been a big month for the Gaines family. Not only did he just get drafted to the NFL, but his wife just had a baby last month. Colt Steven Gaines was born on March 25. He married his wife back in July of 2017. Luckily for Gaines, he’ll be able to raise his child in the city where he grew up.
3. He’s never been to an NFL game
When Gaines steps onto the field for his first game as a Ram, it’ll be his first time at an NFL game. Per Greg Beacham of the Associated Press, Gaines told the media after being drafted that he’s never been to an NFL game before.
As he points out, Gaines was growing up in Los Angeles during the days when it didn’t have a pro team. It’ll make the experience even more special when he walks out onto the field for his debut.
4. Gaines is a versatile athlete
Gaines might’ve made his mark as a defensive tackle, but he wasn’t always so one-dimensional. In high school, Gaines would line up at running back and take snaps on offense.
His high school team went 10-2 his senior season, so it’s not like they would’ve played him at running back if he wasn’t good. Football wasn’t the only sport he played, as he was also a star in track and field. In 2013, Gaines won the league championship in both discus and shot throwing.
Maybe Gaines can line up on offense for a trick play or two with the Rams. ESPN’s draft broadcast showed how Gaines is a prolific cliff-diver as well, so he’s clearly not afraid of anything. He and his friends do an annual jump off the Montlake Bridge, which is 46 feet above the water.
5. He won the 2018 Morris Trophy
Gaines won the 2018 Morris Trophy, which is given annually to the Pac-12’s best defensive lineman. The award is voted on by opposing players, so his peers clearly have a ton of respect for his game.
Last season Gaines played in 14 games, racking up 56 tackles, by far a career high. He had 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, while also adding an interception. He was selected to the All-Pac 12 first team for his work last season, after making the second team in 2017.
He was also an accomplished student, earning academic second-team honors each of the past three seasons. Gaines had a decorated college career, and hopefully he can carry it over to the pros.
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theramswire.usatoday.com]
