| April 25, 2005 | « Previous Story | HOME | Next Story » | Posted at 10:34 AM |
The Buffalo Bills have signd undrafted free agent George Gause, DE- from the University of South Carolina. Gause was the quiet field general for the Gamecocks' defense. The three-year starter anchored the front wall where he utilized his speed and lateral range to wreak havoc in the backfield. Used mostly as a drop end, he is the type of athlete that gives total effort until the whistle is sounded. Gause was an All-America selection Sports magazine as a senior at Conway High School. Rivals Recruiting Service regarded Gause as the top defensive prospect in the state of South Carolina. He had 79 tackles and nine sacks his senior year and played in the Shrine Bowl.
He was named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team in 2001, as he recorded 24 tackles (16 solos) with a sack and two stops for losses. He started 11 games at weakside defensive end in 2002, totaling 55 tackles (36 solos) with four sacks, 7½ stops behind the line of scrimmage and three forced fumbles. The following season, Gause started eight games. He was bothered part of the year by a knee sprain that forced him to miss the Louisiana State contest, finishing with 37 tackles (20 solos), five sacks, nine stops for losses and five pressures.
Gause started every game in his final season. He produced 40 tackles (34 solos) with five sacks, eight stops behind the line of scrimmage and a forced fumble in 2004. In 43 games with the Gamecocks, Gause started 31 times. He recorded 156 tackles (106 solos) with 15 sacks for minus-77 yards, 26½ stops for losses of 103 yards and 11 quarterback pressures. He caused six fumbles, recovered another and deflected seven passes.
Positives: Well built with long arms, high-cut frame, big bubble, thick thighs and good muscle development in the upper body … Shows some quickness off the ball and strong hand usage to disengage … Has the ability to shed blocks quickly and clog the rush lanes … Has the speed and range to chase down the line … Strong wrap-up tackler that will give up his body to get to the ball … His hand placement and moves (rip, swim) allow him to create pressure … Plays with a good motor in his pursuit and has enough agility to drop into coverage and make the open-field tackle … If given a free lane, he can close quickly on the quarterback … Has adequate mental ability and ball recognition skills.
Negatives: When he gets high in his stance, he exposes his chest and blockers quickly get into his body, causing him to struggle to shed … Loses leverage at the point of attack when taking on double teams, as he struggles to split … Needs to stay at a lower pad level to prevent blockers from locking on … Accountable player, but will only do what is asked in the weight room … Stays tied up too long and has difficulties making the tackle when the action is directed right at him … Body appears too stiff for him to get proper knee bend … Relies too much on his rip moves as a pass rusher and needs to develop better club and swim moves in order to gain quicker penetration.
2003 -- Missed the Louisiana State game and most of the Kentucky contest with a knee sprain.
4.69 in the 40-yard dash … 4.62 20-yard shuttle … 7.26 three-cone drill … 31½-inch vertical jump … 8-foot-9 broad jump … 33½-inch arm length … 9¼-inch hands.
Attended Conway (S.C.) High School, playing football for coach Chuck Jordan … Rated the 17th best prospect in the nation by Tom Lemming's "Top 100" … Named All-America by Student Sports magazine … Rated the 11th-best defensive end in the country by Rivals Recruiting Service … Generally regarded to be the top defensive prospect in the state of South Carolina … Had 79 tackles and nine sacks his senior year … Played in the Shrine Bowl.
Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management major … Cousin, Andrea Gause, was a teammate and defensive back at South Carolina … Born June 20, 1982 … Resides in Conway, S.C.