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 I-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 No. 67cornerback 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 re-route 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.

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 … 38½-inch vertical jump … 9-foot-10 broad jump … 4.15 20-yard shuttle … 6.89 three-cone drill … 31-inch arm length … 8½-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 No. 67 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 Jan. 1, 1985 … Resides in Tallahassee, Fla.