All eyes, cameras and CBS Sports HQ viewers were fixed on Osani Gayles.
Three hats — Stanford, Washington and Alabama — sat side by side on the table in front of him, each representing a different future.
After thanking those gathered at Elevate209 in Stockton on Saturday, June 27, Gayles paused.
The moment had arrived.
The 247Sports Class of 2027 No. 34 player in the country and the No. 7 wide receiver reached to his right.
He picked up the Alabama hat, officially announcing his commitment to the Crimson Tide.
“I just believe in the coaching staff, the development and how they plan to utilize me in the offense,” Gayles said. “Coach Derrick Nix, coach Ryan Grubb and coach Kalen DeBoer. I believe in those guys, and I know they can prepare me for the next level.”
Elevate209 owner and founder Vince Carter added, “He’s one of the greatest athletes to come out of the 209. There’s no one who’s done the things he has.”
The latest USA TODAY composite football rankings, an average of the 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN rankings, place Osani as the No. 49 overall player in the Class of 2027.
“I was looking at my schedule,” Gayles said. “My second game ever is going to be at Ohio State. It’s going to be a wild game, and I’m just blessed to have that opportunity.”
Born and raised in Tracy, Osani began his high school career at St. Mary’s in Stockton. During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he totaled 1,071 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
“It’s definitely a beautiful thing to see another 209 athlete make it out,” former St. Mary’s teammate and UCLA freshman wide receiver Kenneth Moore III said. “Playing with him in high school was so much fun. We became so close, and he’s still one of my closest friends. Seeing him commit to a great university is a blessing. He’s special.”
Carter added, “This was the biggest football commitment day — if not the biggest sports commitment day — in San Joaquin County history. No football player has ever been ranked as high as him. He’s been named OT7 MVP, competed at The Opening Nike Camp and earned a spot in the Under Armour All-America Game. His level of play is unmatched.”
Transferring to IMG Academy ahead of his junior year, he caught 20 passes for 492 yards and 5 TDs while also carrying the ball 5 times for 70 yards and 1 TD in nine games.
“Again, he’s chosen the hard path,” Osani’s father, Eddie Gayles, said. “That’s who he’s always been. He did it when he chose St. Mary’s over staying home, even though they already had a fantastic four-star receiver in Kenny Moore III. He did it again at IMG, where he joined one of the best teams in the country with a five-star receiver. Now he’s chosen the SEC. That’s just the way he’s wired.
“He believes the toughest path is the one that will make him the best.”
‘Dream big’
Nearly every major college football program wanted a shot at Gayles.
Thirty schools extended offers, but by early June, his recruitment was down to three finalists.
He took official visits to Stanford, Alabama and Washington before canceling his remaining official visits to Notre Dame and Tennessee.
When it was all over, Tuscaloosa had separated itself from the rest.
“I was really impressed with how they carry themselves as a program,” Gayles said. “Following the Nick Saban era wasn’t easy, but I think they’ve handled it well. I believe in that coaching staff.”
Still, saying yes to Alabama also meant saying no to two schools with meaningful ties.
Eddie Gayles played running back and wide receiver at Stanford from 1998-2000, while Osani’s sister, two grandparents and two aunts all attended Washington.
“It was definitely one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Gayles said. “I had so many opportunities and built so many relationships. The hardest part was telling coaches no because you respect them and have so much love for them.”
Eddie Gayles added, “A lot of people don’t see the work he puts in day in and day out, and they definitely don’t see the stress that comes with making a decision like this. He had great relationships with all three schools and could have chosen any of them for different reasons. I just told him there wasn’t a wrong decision. Go with your gut.”
That’s exactly what he did.
And he knows he didn’t get there alone, crediting his parents, family and the 209 for helping him reach this moment.
“I was once that kid who wanted all the offers, all the stars and all the opportunities,” Gayles said. “I hope I can be an example for everyone in this community and prove it’s possible. All it takes is hard work and dedication. Keep the main thing the main thing, dream big and believe you can do anything.”
This article originally appeared on The Record: Alabama football lands 4-star WR Osani Gayles from Tracy
Reporting by Dylan Ackermann, The Stockton Record / The Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dylan Ackermann, The Stockton Record | USA TODAY Network
