Gaines measures in at 6’5 200-pounds. This big body receiver had 23 catches for 510 yards and 8 touchdowns. Gaines has very good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, speed, jumping, and good change of direction. Gaines has a good release at the line of scrimmage. Breaks from his stem into fluid route running. Good separation quickness. He’ll fight through contact and win. Gaines has very good ball adjustment skills and body control. He’s a contested catch specialist, using his very good ball tracking and catching to dominate on the grid iron. He kills it with hitch routes and deep curls. He showed off his good strength when blocking, creating lanes for his running back or wide receivers to run through. A talented wide receiver that can impact the FCS level of play.

At 6’4, Carter Gaines Carter Gaines 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Timnath | 2026 State CO creates instant mismatch problems for defenders, especially near the goal-line. His leaping ability allows him to consistently high point the football, and his body control makes him a nightmare in tight throwing windows. Gaines has soft, reliable hands and shows no hesitation catching the ball in traffic or poor weather. Even when defenders are draped over him, he often finds a way to make the grab. What separates him from others is his presence in clutch moments, he’s the kind of player you design red-zone packages around. Expect Gaines to be a major focal point of his offense this fall and a serious name to track for Division I programs.