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- Mar 19, 2019
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His 32 combined tackles tied for fifth in the XFL, according to league stats. Gates also had 2.0 sacks, three quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and an interception through five games.
2. Multiple stops along the way
Gates has played for three professional football leagues.
He initially joined the Browns in 2018 as an undrafted free agent but was released. He then played for Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football. Gates led the AAF with 52 tackles and five forced fumbles through eight games before the league folded.
In April 2019, Gates signed with the Redskins but was waived in June.
3. Rebel before a Roughneck
Gates played at Ole Miss from 2014-17, leading the Rebels in tackles each of his final three seasons.
As a senior, he became the first Ole Miss player to record more than 100 tackles since five-time All-Pro Patrick Willis accomplished the feat in 2006.
Gates' 70 solo tackles in 2017 topped the SEC and put him at 13th-best in FBS. His 9.5 tackles per game ranked third in the conference.
4. Georgia native
Gates hails from Hampton, Georgia, where he attended Lovejoy High School and was named a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, 247Sports.com and ESPN.com. Rivals.com listed him as the No. 19 outside linebacker in the country despite the fact that he missed his senior season with a torn ACL.
As a junior at Lovejoy, Gates recorded 132 tackles and was named All-Region.
Other notable names who have graduated from Lovejoy include Dolphins wide receiver Preston Williams and former running back Tashard Choice.
5. One of three
Gates was raised by his aunt and uncle, Tia and Leon Dillard. He has two sisters and shared on Instagram that the trio of siblings is close.