Recruit Spotlight: DT Randy Gayden, Mangham High School, Class of 2018

by Camille Amadeo

As a defensive player, you want them to rush the passer (if they get past the offensive linemen blocking them), and stop running plays directed at the middle of the line of scrimmage. This is exactly what Randy Gayden does so well for the Mangham Dragons. At 6’2 and 300 pounds, Gayden is built to play multiple positions that compliment his game as a player as well as his team. Randy Gayden started as a freshman in 2014 on the offensive line and has worked his way up to dominating plays as a defensive tackle. Watching Gayden play, one notices his determination to find his opponent and charge towards the ball. Even after tackling one of his opponents, Gayden will find another player to tackle until the play is completed and called by the referee. Not only does Randy have the physical ability to play the game, he also has the passion and dedication to play the game at the best of his ability as one can see in his responses to our questions. Louisiana Football Magazine’s recruiting expert Lee Brecheen has a lot of good things to say about the senior Mangham defensive tackle.

“In 2015, I saw a strong kid who starts the nose guard spot and really gets after you,” Brecheen said. “He is still growing mentally and physically into a great defensive player.”

Last football season, the Mangham Dragons were 6-6 losing in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs against Madison Prep Academy. This season, the Dragon’s defense is reassembled and ready for another long run at the playoffs. This will be possible with seniors DE Andrew Sevier, DT Madison Woodard, LB Austin Payne, CB Brandon Haynes, and of course, DT Randy Gayden. We can’t wait to see how Randy Gayden leads the team once again into playoffs as he hopes to continue proving his ability of being an asset to the Dragons. We hope this season also brings Randy many opportunities as hopes to continue his football performance after high school.

LAFM: What is your name, age, position, and school you played for?

Randy Gayden, 18, DT, Mangham High School

LAFM: What is your height and weight?

6’2, 300 lbs

LAFM: What is your max bench press, max squat, vertical, and 40 yard time?

Max Bench Press: 315; Max squat: 375; 40 yard time: 5.0

LAFM: What are the biggest strengths to your game or what do you think makes you stand out as a defensive tackle?

My tenacity in making plays helps me stand out.

LAFM: What is your favorite play as a defensive tackle?

I wouldn’t say I have a particular favorite play. I like to run them all.

LAFM: What have been some of your best accomplishments while at Mangham High School?

I’m a team player so my biggest accomplishment to me is me motivating the younger players that are coming up behind me.

LAFM: What is an interesting fact about yourself that you would like your readers to know about you?

What a lot people don’t know about me is that I was diagnosed with a learning disability, but I don’t let it define me or stop me from achieving my goals.

LAFM: What are your thoughts on how the end of the season turned out as well as the season as a whole?

We have a young team and we have a lot of freshmen stepping up. As it looks right now, I believe we will have a great season.

LAFM: Looking back at your career, what is the game that sticks out the most?

My freshman year when we played against Sterlington was the game that stuck out to me the most. The last play of the game got shook up by Sterlington’s defense so our receiver improvised and threw the ball to another receiver for a touchdown and the win.

LAFM: You have played against a lot of great defensive tackles over your career. Who is the best one you played against and why?

As a defensive tackle, the best offensive team I played against was Madison Prep.

LAFM: What are some things that you have picked up from Coach Tharp so far that has helped you improve at your game?

Coach Thorpe always says, “play hard, play physical until the last snap.” My defensive coach, Coach Wilcher also tries to get them off the field on third down.

LAFM: Would you want to pursue your football career in college and if so, where would you see yourself doing so?

Yes, I would like to play for Alabama.

LAFM: Who is the college or NFL player that you like to model your game after and why?

I model myself after Jonathan Allen (Alabama/Washington Redskins) because of his game technique and his game attitude.

LAFM: Who are some of the people that you like to thank for putting you in the position that you are in today?

The main one is my mom, being a single mother was hard, but she always made a way and pushed me to work hard.

Camille Amadeo is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico but has lived in the town of Madisonville, Louisiana since high school where she attended St. Scholastica Academy. Camille attends Louisiana State University pursuing a major in Public Relations and a minor in Spanish. While at LSU, Camille has participated in different positions surrounding sports. During the fall semester of her sophomore year, Camille had the chance to attend the press box for the LSU football games where she helped report the radio advertisements in Spanish for KGLA radio station and also reported the scores for the other college football games going on at that time. Camille joined the LA Football Magazine team in summer for her school internship.

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