A starter in parts of each of his first three seasons, Gay emerged as one of the top pass thieves in the nation as a senior, ranking tied for 14th in Division 1-A with six interceptions. His coverage skills helped the Cardinals rank 23rd nationally with a 110.86 pass efficiency defense rating in 2006.

Gay excelled in football and track at Rickards High School. He was rated a three-star prospect by TheInsiders.com and was the nation's 67th-ranked cornerback by that recruiting service. He was also a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, adding team co-MVP and All-Big Bend Area honors during his final season.

Gay played quarterback, wide receiver and safety for the Raiders. He racked up more than 1,200 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. As a senior, he notched 1,035 yards and seven scores passing, 1,237 yards and 11 scores receiving and 82 tackles, 14 pass break-ups and nine interceptions at defensive back.

As a true freshman, Gay started once at left cornerback and twice at nickel back for Louisville in 2003, earning Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors. He collected 33 tackles (21 solos) with a sack, two stops for losses, an interception and eight deflected passes during his first year with the Cardinals.

As a sophomore, Gay shifted to right cornerback, starting 11 times. He totaled 21 tackles (15 solos) with a stop for a loss while also causing a fumble and batting away four passes. A deep calf bruise forced Gay to miss two games and see limited action in another during the 2005 campaign. He still managed to finish with 20 tackles (16 solos), three pass deflections and a forced fumble.

In 2006, Gay led the team and ranked second in the Big East (received first-team honors from the league's coaches) with six interceptions. He also led the team with 13 pass break-ups and finished second on defense with a career-high 60 tackles (48 solos). He added two sacks, six stops for losses and two forced fumbles from his right cornerback position.

In 46 games at Louisville, Gay started 36 contests. He registered 134 tackles (100 solos) with three sacks for minus-11 yards and nine stops for losses of 43 yards. He caused four fumbles, deflected 28 passes and intercepted seven others for 70 yards in returns.

Positives: Long-limbed, yet undersized athlete who has good short-area coverage skills, playing with good vision to keep containment in front of him … Has quick feet and natural movement skills in his backpedal, showing the loose hips needed to turn smoothly and transition … Also shows ease of movement when changing direction and soft feet to come out of his breaks cleanly … Has improved his leaping ability and timing to reach and pluck the ball cleanly at its high point … Shows good extension to catch and secure the ball outside his frame … Can flip and run from the press, using his hands effectively to reroute receivers … Shows quickness planting and driving out of his backpedal … Breaks on the ball sharply, competing for it with aggression … Has impressive range, covering ground quickly when beaten … Makes proper body adjustments going up for the ball and strikes low when delivering his tackles.

Negatives: Has a skinny frame that lacks bulk and strength, but he might be at maximum growth potential … Good short-area coverage defender, but peeks into the backfield often and loses relationship with the speedier receivers in the seam … Seems reluctant to come up and support vs. the run … Good open-field hitter, but will try to finesse rather than hit with a thud when playing near the line … Struggles to grasp the playbook and needs more than a few reps to retain … Has good timed speed, but lacks the second gear needed to recover when beaten … Showed improvement in 2006, but in the past, he lacked concentration and would get caught out of position often … Has marginal football character and will set himself apart from teammates at times … Needs to see the play develop, having marginal anticipation skills.

Compares To: REYNALDO HILL-Tennessee … Gay has made great strides in looking the ball in better, resulting in increased interceptions and pass deflections as a senior. He lacks the sand in his pants to lend any type of support inside the box and his frame is likely at maximum growth potential. He has played mostly at right cornerback, but for now he can only hope to fight for a spot in the sub packages.

Gay's six interceptions in 2006 rank tied for eighth on the school's single-season record list and were the most by a Cardinals defender since Anthony Floyd had 10 in 2000.

All-Big East Conference first-team selection … Ranked second in the league and tied four 14th in the nation with six interceptions for 70 yards in returns (11.7 avg) … Deflected thirteen passes while starting all thirteen games at right cornerback … Ranked second on the team with a career-high 60 tackles (48 solos), including two sacks for minus 5 yards and six stops for losses of 33 yards … Also caused two fumbles.

Tallied eight tackles and an interception vs. Pittsburgh … recorded four tackles and an interception vs. South Florida … registered five stops and a forced fumble vs. Rutgers … recorded seven tackles and one tackle for loss vs. West Virginia … tied for the team lead with seven tackles and an interception vs. Syracuse … credited with five tackles and a sack vs. Cincinnati … registered one tackle and an interception vs. Kansas State … recorded eight tackles vs. Miami and registered three pass break-ups … recorded an interception vs. Temple.

Started nine of ten games at right cornerback, missing the Cincinnati and Pittsburgh contests with a deep calf bruise … Managed a career-low 20 tackles (16 solos) with a forced fumble and three pass deflections.

Posted four tackles with a sack and caused a fumble vs. Florida Atlantic … notched three tackles and a pair of break-ups vs. Oregon State … recorded two tackles vs. Kentucky.

Started eleven of twelve games at right cornerback, coming off the bench vs. Tulane … Collected 21 tackles (15 solos) with a stop for a 3-yard loss … Caused a fumble and had four pass deflections.

Posted four tackles, including one for a loss vs. Miami … recorded three tackles in a win over East Carolina … registered two tackles in a 52-21 win over Army … notched two stops in the win over Kentucky.

Named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team … Appeared in eleven games, earning three starts (at left cornerback vs. Memphis and at nickel back vs. Houston and Cincinnati) … Recorded 33 tackles (21 solos) and led the team with eight pass break-ups … Had a 6-yard sack, two stops for losses of 7 yards and one interception.

Recorded a season-high eight tackles and a pass break-up vs. Cincinnati … notched his first interception vs. South Florida … posted four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in his collegiate debut vs. UTEP … registered four stops vs. Tulane.

2005: Sat out the Cincinnati and Pittsburgh games with a deep calf bruise.

Campus: 4.51 in the 40-yard dash … Bench pressed 225 pounds 16 times … 38.5-inch vertical jump … 9'10" broad jump … 4.15 20-yard shuttle … 6.89 three-cone drill … 31-inch arm length … 8 1/2-inch hands … Left-handed.

Attended Rickards (Tallahassee, Fla.) High School, playing football for head coach Algie Hendrieth … Excelled in football and track … Rated a three-star prospect by TheInsiders.com and was the nation's 67th-ranked cornerback by that recruiting service … Was also a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, adding team co-MVP and All-Big Bend Area honors during his final season … Played quarterback, wide receiver and safety for the Raiders … Racked up more than 1,200 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior … As a senior, he notched 1,035 yards and seven scores passing, 1,237 yards and 11 scores receiving and 82 tackles, 14 pass break-ups and nine interceptions at defensive back.

Sports Administration major … Born 1/01/85 … Resides in Tallahassee, Florida.