Montavius Gaines

Defensive Back / Southern University

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your measurements? (Height, Weight and 40 time)

Montavius Gaines:  My height is 6’1 4/8, I am 190 pounds and I run in the high 4.4s.

 

Ed Hunt:  Where are you currently training for the NFL Draft?

Montavius Gaines:  In Atlanta, with Oliver Davis at a local facility.  When February opens up, I will be training at the D1 facility.

 

Ed Hunt:  Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?

Montavius Gaines:  I committed to Townsend University and then de-committed because of a foot injury and then I got an opportunity at Southern. 

 

Ed Hunt:  Why did you choose Southern University?

Montavius Gaines:  They were very family oriented and they treated you like family.  It’s a nice environment.

 

Ed Hunt:  What positions can you play in the defensive backfield?

Montavius Gaines:  I can play CB, FS, SS and nickel.

 

Ed Hunt:  What position is your best fit at the next level?

Montavius Gaines:  Cornerback and free safety. 

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your biggest sport outside of football?

Montavius Gaines:  Basketball.   

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your biggest accomplishment in that sport?

Montavius Gaines:  In 2016, from a team standpoint, we made it to the second round of the playoffs and lost to the best team in the playoffs.

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your strengths?

Montavius Gaines:  Knowledge.  I have great knowledge towards the game. I ’m big on watching film and knowing the play before it develops.  I also say speed and length.

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your weaknesses?

Montavius Gaines:  I would say in man to man, patience to the inside and working on man to man technique.  

 

Ed Hunt:  What was the highlight of your career?

Montavius Gaines:  The highlight of my career was when we played South Carolina State.  My first year ever starting as a safety and I had a defensive MVP my first official start ever.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your biggest accomplishment in college?

Montavius Gaines:  Getting my degree.  I wasn’t going to leave my college without a college degree for my family.  I am the first person in my family to get a college degree.

 

Ed Hunt:  What have you learned the most from your coaching staff?

Montavius Gaines:  How to deal with adversity in life and football wise.  They always tied life and football.  They used real life situations.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Montavius Gaines:  I don’t have a specific NFL team.  I just like to see great players make plays.  

 

Ed Hunt:  Who is an NFL player you model your career off of?

Montavius Gaines:  Richard Sherman and Sean Taylor.

 

Ed Hunt:  What is the most important trait for a defensive back?

Montavius Gaines:  Having great eye discipline.  If your eye is on the wrong place, then you won’t make plays.

 

Ed Hunt:  Before the ball is snapped, what tendencies are you looking for in an offense?

Montavius Gaines:  I look at the personnel.  Then I look at offensive linemen splits.  I look at the wide receiver split stance and their body demeanor.

 

Ed Hunt:  What players from your team should we keep an eye on?

Montavius Gaines:  Ladarius Skelton, Robert Rhem, Torriando Sims II and Davon Benn.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who is the best player you have faced on an opposing team?

Montavius Gaines:  Chad Williams in the Bayou Classic.  He played at Grambling University.  I played against Chester Rogers as well, but I didn’t guard him.

 

Ed Hunt:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Montavius Gaines:  Getting thoughts off from outside things, and my mind is occupied on football.  It gets my mind off life issues.  I am in my own little zone when I am playing football.

 

Ed Hunt:  What makes you unique?

Montavius Gaines:  I would say my knowledge and my closing speed.  I have great closing speed.

 

Ed Hunt:  What are your hobbies?

Montavius Gaines:  I like to go hunting and go to the gun range.  I’m getting into hockey now.  Try something outside the box.

 

Ed Hunt:  What do you want to do with your life after your football career?

Montavius Gaines:  My degree is in criminal justice.  Something like being a criminal investigator.

 

Ed Hunt:  What four words best describe you?

Montavius Gaines:  Competitive, self-confident, aggressive, and disciplined.

 

Ed Hunt:  Who will win the Super Bowl?

Montavius Gaines:  I feel like the 49ers are going to win it.