2026 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Theron Gaines, LB, Tennessee Tech

• Name: Theron Gaines
• Position: LB
• College: Tennessee Tech
• Height: 5′ 11″
• Weight: 235 lbs
• X: @GainesTheron
• Instagram: @theron._.gaines

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

I’ve played football my whole life. It’s in my DNA. My sister played football. All my little brothers play football.All I know is as far back as I can remember i had a football in my hand.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

All the fall camps I went through. Those were the most genuine times I had with the guys with no school. We are just all working and trying to get better before the season. And those are my favorite moments involving football.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

I think everyone’s goal when you’ve played as long as I’ve had is to go pro and God willing that I will be able to go pro.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day, who and why?

I think Roquan Smith. That’s a guy who I really have started to watch even more like a shorter guy more my build and the way he sees the game is exceptional ever since he’s gotten into the league he’s been a playmaker and if I happen to turn out half as good as he is I’ll have a good career.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

My older sister. She’s been through so much in her life and she gave me a nephew and one thing about her is she never makes it about herself she just puts her head down and works and that’s one thing that inspires me because I play a kids game and brother it’s fun but that’s not the real world. So the fact that she probably goes to a job she doesn’t like so much and she gets up everyday and  goes to work that’s inspiring. 

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

I love a 4-2-5 but I think what I truly excel at is a 4-3. I think having an extra linebacker out there we are able to do so much more. I’m able to play outside linebacker and middle rather than a 4-2-5 and I’m middle linebacker and I’m only outside on blitzes when we have a smaller defensive back in the middle like the only time I’m outside is blitzes and the weakness is more run heavy things so having to have a smaller guy out there is easy but I think a 4-3 is good because later in the season we had a 4-3 and it ended up working out for us.

What should we know about Theron Gaines the person?

That I’m a Christian and I think that’s the biggest thing as a football player with the right tools and it’s easy to not put the glory on the lord. But I’m a Christian and the way I play is all heart and passion and I love playing football. Football is not a hobby to me and I’ve always treated this game with love and respect and god willing hopefully football sees me again. 

What stands out about your film the most?

You can see my passion and tenacity and the way I play I don’t take plays off and every play is a play I can make and when you turn it on you see how good I am as a former defensive end how good I am in the pass rush and run fits and this was my first year doing it and skys the limit and I’m still a raw talent trying to refine.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

First thing pray about it and then also be more level headed and take everything at a level headed position and don’t react emotionally to nothing and have all the details before I react to it and when I changed to linebacker because of me looking at the core I had to look at the whole field and it was a struggle for me but I just staying persistent at it and being level headed and getting coached and being coachable and honestly from all the other linebackers being open ears, taking in suggestions and taking in everybody else’s opinions that was a big thing and even off the field when something else goes wrong calling my dad, calling my mom, calling my brothers, calling my sisters, talking to my coaches and talking to God and getting everyone else’s opinions before making a decision.

10.What would a team get in a player like you?

A kid who is ready to work with no off the field troubles, a kid who is coming from the FCS where everything in life has only been by a shot and opportunity, who is willing to work his butt off and play special teams and do anything he needs to do to get on that bus and I was a starter on 2 special teams and I went to my coaches and told them I want to stay on special teams. I take pride in everything I put on the field, if it’s on special teams and even on the bench and a kid who is ready to go who is excited and blessed to even be in a position like this.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

That it’s honestly for me life and I get firsthand opportunities to strengthen myself for life. You’re going to get knocked down and go through trials and tribulations. It’s never about you getting knocked down, it’s about what you do after that and I know if I get knocked down I’m going to pick myself up and be ready to work again.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

Eric Taylor, he plays nickel for Tennessee Tech. he is one of the most underrated guys he’s a shorter guy who doesn’t have the prototypical what you want as a nickel and I’ve seen him work and he’s going to really  put the world on notice this year at Tennessee Tech and you are going to really see a guy who doesn’t care how big or tall you are and he’s putting in the same amount of work you’ve put in and he’s so underappreciated and underrated from the outside world and he’s a dog who can play any defensive back spot and he is like a short linebacker who can play in the box with us and guys now a days they don’t want to be in the box but he’s willing to go out there and do the grimey things with a smile on his face and get up next play and do it again and he wants to hit tight ends and tackles and I think he’s going to get some recognition real soon.