Marshall University Athletics
MCGILL: Gaines 'is a pain' for opposing defenses
9/12/2019 11:46:00 AM | Football, Word on the Herd
Marshall hosts Ohio this Saturday in Huntington
By Chuck McGill
HerdZone.com
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Brad Lambert, Marshall's first-year defensive coordinator, doesn't have to prepare for Marshall's do-it-all offensive weapon Xavier Gaines.
Thank goodness, too. What Gaines offers for the Thundering Herd offense isn't pleasant for opposing defenses.
"It is a pain," Lambert said. "You have to prepare for a guy who has the ability of X – whether he's playing quarterback, they can split him out, use him as a wideout, use him as a tight end.
"He has so much flexibility."
All of that was on display last Friday night in front of a nationally televised ESPN2 audience. Those at Joan C. Edwards Stadium and watching on Facebook this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. will likely see more of the versatile Gaines, who threw a pass, carried the ball and caught passes against Boise State last week.
"He played four snaps at quarterback," Marshall offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey said. "He played running back; slot receiver. He's a guy who allows us to move him all over the place. That causes a big deal for the defense because we can be in certain personnel groups but not be in those personnel formations."
Gaines didn't connect on his lone pass attempt against Boise State, but he rushed twice for a career-high 14 yards and caught a team-high three passes for 26 yards. Overall, he played five positions: quarterback, running back and tight end, while lining up out wide and in the slot at receiver.
"It changes up things for defenses," quarterback Isaiah Green said. "It gives them something else they have to game plan for. He's a great athlete, so he can make big plays at any time. He has a unique skill-set. You can line him up at any position."
Gaines was a highly recruited quarterback out of Frostproof, Florida. He converted to tight end to see the field more quickly. Gaines bulked up – he said his ideal weight is 225 to 230 pounds – and continues to develop as a blocker so he can contribute everywhere on offense.
"I get the opportunity to do a lot of different things on the field," Gaines said. "Whatever they tell me to do, that's what I like. Whatever I have to do to get the ball, that's what I'll do."
Gaines began to flourish in the passing game late in 2018, catching two balls for 54 yards – including a touchdown – in the regular season finale at Virginia Tech, and then three receptions for 51 yards in the Gasparilla Bowl win against USF. He also attempted a pass in the bowl game, teasing the expanded use of what he offers in 2019.
"He's up for it," Cramsey said. "It's fun for him because in his mind he should still be a quarterback. He's back to doing a little bit of that, but he has that skill-set that allows us to do that."
Gaines said he doesn't have a preference on where he lines up, and the same is true if he has a chance to continue his career in the National Football League.
"It's the same attitude and the same mindset," he said. "Whatever I can do to help the team – quarterback, receiver, coming out of the backfield, tight end or special teams – it doesn't matter. I just want to make a play."
Chuck McGill is the Assistant Athletic Director for Fan/Donor Engagement and Communications at Marshall University and a seven-time winner of the National Sports Media Association West Virginia Sportswriter of the Year award. In addition to HerdZone.com's Word on the Herd, McGill is the editor of Thundering Herd Illustrated, Marshall's official athletics publication. Follow him on Twitter (@chuckmcgill) and Instagram (wordontheherd).
