Ali Gaye Bio
Ali Gaye is a Gambian professional American football linebacker and defensive end who has played in the National Football League. After a winding college path that took him through three programs, Gaye broke into the NFL as an undrafted free agent and has built a career as a rotational edge defender. He is currently listed with the Houston Texans.
Gaye’s journey from The Gambia to the NFL reflects years of adaptation, including learning a new sport as a teenager and changing positions and schools before finding a fit at LSU. His combination of length and athleticism has helped him carve out a role on special teams and as a situational pass rusher.
Early Life and Background
Ali Gaye was born in The Gambia on November 29, 1998, and moved to the United States with his family at age 12. The family settled in Everett, Washington, where he attended local schools and adjusted to life in a new country. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 265 pounds, Gaye eventually developed the physical profile of an NFL edge defender.
Although Gaye played soccer in his youth, he was introduced to American football in eighth grade and quickly took to the sport. He attended Edmonds Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington, where he emerged as a defensive standout and earned All-Wesco 3A/2A recognition in each of his final three seasons. Gaye was rated as a three-star recruit, and his high school performance drew college attention from across the Pac-12 and SEC.
Gaye originally signed a letter of intent with the University of Washington, with plans to grayshirt his freshman season, but he was not admitted due to SAT requirements. The setback pushed him toward the junior college route, where he could continue developing his game and his academic standing.
Path to American Football
After high school, Gaye began his college career at Arizona Western College, a junior college program in Yuma, Arizona. When Arizona Western disbanded its football team, he transferred to Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas, before his sophomore year. There, he starred on the defensive line, finishing the season with 44 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble and two blocked kicks, earning first-team All-Jayhawk League honors.
Those performances attracted Power Five interest, and Gaye committed to LSU over offers from Oklahoma and Nebraska. He became an immediate starter at defensive end for the Tigers, recording three tackles, two tackles for a loss, a sack and a team-high three passes defended in his first game. In 2020, he was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference, establishing himself as one of the top edge rushers in the conference.
Ali Gaye Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Gaye’s arrival at LSU marked his entry into top-level college football. Working as a starting defensive end, he logged 32 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and six passes defended during the 2020 season, highlighted by the second-team All-SEC selection. The performance cemented his status as a draft-eligible prospect heading into his final college season.
Over the rest of his time with the Tigers, Gaye continued to develop his technique and pass-rushing repertoire, gaining experience against elite competition. His length, leverage and motor made him an attractive target for NFL teams looking for developmental edge prospects, even as his draft stock remained modest.
Houston Texans First Stint (2023–2024)
Ali Gaye signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023, beginning his professional career. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 29, 2023, but was re-signed to the team’s practice squad. In January 2024, Gaye signed a reserve and future contract with Houston, signaling that the organization still viewed him as part of its long-term plans.
Gaye remained with the Texans through the 2024 offseason before being waived again on August 27, 2024, as the team shaped its initial 53-man roster. Though his time on the active roster in Houston was limited, the experience gave him his first full NFL training camp and gave the Texans a look at his development.
Tennessee Titans (2024–2025)
The Tennessee Titans claimed Gaye off waivers on August 28, 2024, and he made the team’s final roster as a rotational outside linebacker. He made his professional debut on special teams in Week 2 against the New York Jets, then recorded his first career sack in Week 12 against Texans quarterback C. J. Stroud. Gaye played 15 games during the 2024 season, finishing his rookie year with eight tackles, seven of them solo.
Heading into 2025, Gaye was waived by the Titans as part of final roster cuts on August 26 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on October 14, 2025, and contributed in a rotational role before a knee injury suffered in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts sent him to injured reserve on October 28. The Titans activated him on January 3, 2026, ahead of the season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars, before waiving him on April 30, 2026.
Houston Texans Second Stint (2026)
On May 1, 2026, the Houston Texans claimed Gaye off waivers, bringing him back to the franchise that originally signed him as an undrafted free agent. The move gave him an opportunity to re-establish himself in a familiar organization heading into the new league year.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gaye’s most visible trait is his length and frame, which allow him to keep opposing tackles off his chest and disrupt passing lanes. He has been used primarily as a rotational edge rusher and on special teams, where his athleticism and motor translate to production. As he matures, his ability to set the edge against the run and refine his pass-rush plan will shape his role.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Gaye’s signature moments came in Week 12 of the 2024 season, when he recorded his first career NFL sack against Texans quarterback C. J. Stroud. His 2020 second-team All-SEC selection stands as the most decorated honor of his college career and helped set the stage for his professional opportunity.
Ali Gaye Career Wins
Ali Gaye’s professional win totals remain modest as a rotational player and special teams contributor, with his most consistent production coming in the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans. His first career sack against the Houston Texans marked his arrival as a situational pass rusher at the NFL level. Continued growth in technique and snap count could expand his statistical profile in future seasons.
Houston Texans Highlights
During his first stint with the Texans, Gaye appeared in training camps and spent time on the practice squad, building his foundation as an undrafted rookie. His reserve and future contract in January 2024 was a sign that the organization saw long-term value in his development.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Gaye earned first-team All-Jayhawk League honors at Garden City Community College and second-team All-SEC recognition at LSU in 2020, validating his progression through three separate programs.
Ali Gaye Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Gaye was raised in The Gambia before his family relocated to Everett, Washington, when he was 12 years old. The move introduced him to American football, the sport that would ultimately define his career.
Personal Life
Gaye is based in Everett, Washington, and maintains an active presence on social media. He has not publicly disclosed a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Ali Gaye entered the 2025 season with the Tennessee Titans as a developmental outside linebacker. After being waived as part of final cuts on August 26, 2025, he was re-signed to the practice squad the next day, then promoted to the active roster on October 14 to provide depth on the edge and on special teams. His promotion reflected the Titans’ trust in his preparation and practice habits.
Gaye saw action in a rotational role before suffering a knee injury in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts on October 28, 2025, which placed him on injured reserve. He missed the middle portion of the schedule as he worked through rehabilitation, then was activated on January 3, 2026, in time for the regular-season finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The stint offered a glimpse of his long-term potential if he can stay healthy.
Looking ahead, Gaye’s ability to stay on the field and expand his pass-rushing role will determine his outlook. Following his release from the Titans on April 30, 2026, and his return to the Houston Texans via waivers on May 1, 2026, he has another opportunity to re-establish himself with a familiar organization and push for a larger role in the rotation.