2023 Senior Bowl Watchlist Scouting Notes: EDGE Ali Gaye, LSU

Ali Gaye is a native of Gambia, and moved to the United States at the age of 12. At LSU, Gaye played across the defensive line and was influential in any tech. He has the raw abilities to be a first-round talent, but Gaye has so many mechanical issues that it will be hard for a team to justify taking him that high. Gaye’s potential is there, it’s just about getting him around a coaching staff who can help him realize it.

HT: 6055
WT: 268
Year: Super Redshirt Senior
High School: Edmonds-Woodway (Lynnwood, WA)
Rating: 3-star (0.8599)
JUCO Rating: 3-star (0.8830)

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Ali Gaye scouting notes

Pros:

Ali Gaye has Excellent lateral quickness. Allows him to be very shifty while attacking the block.
Excellent body control. Keeps his balance and feet very well while attacking the blocker.
Very quick first step. Terrifying.
His powerful upper body makes him difficult to contain 1v1, especially in a hand fight. Shoves blockers to the side. Doesn’t use his upper body well while trying to tackle.
Pure brute at times.
Shows good balance when going into his bend on a speed rush.
Very impressive bend. Get’s very low and attacks.
Shows good hand usage from time to time. Gets his arms up quickly to disrupt passing lanes.
Good strong hands, not great.
Got to love Gaye’s motor. Stays aware of the play around him. Has to play with discipline.

Cons:

Doesn’t possess elite end speed. Appears average in that regard. Doesn’t run as well as you’d expect. Ran a verified 5.23 forty in high school. He struggles to get up to speed and accelerate.
Shows some real explosion from the snap. Want to see it more consistently all the way through the rep.
Lacks in lower body strength. He’s built, but doesn’t control it well.
Will rely on his ability to win 1v1 with his strength.
Does not place hands well at all. Struggles to win the1v1 matchups. Does work well with double teams, attacks the gap and fights for it.
Isn’t often in position to make a play. Almost strictly a pass rusher. Struggles to support off the edge. Has very little control of the tackle. Struggles sometimes to wrap up. Just doesn’t have a great form.
Not a great space defender. Doesn’t control the edge or play contain as well as he should. Struggles to corral the more mobile quarterbacks in the backfield while they’re on the move.
Doesn’t always take great pursuit angles. Will get caught up trying to account for them by being overaggressive. Struggles to take proper pursuit angles inside.
Consistently on, but just not consistently disciplined.
Missed the majority of the 2021 season with an injury.