Gatewood is an undersized defensive end who will have to shift to outside linebacker at the pro level. Despite adding close to 30 pounds to his frame since 2007 spring drills, he still lacks the bulk to play as a down lineman and has struggled to maintain his weight throughout his career.

Even though he was outweighed by as much as 90 pounds against most Southeastern Conference offensive tackles, he registered 10 ½ sacks, 15 stops behind the line of scrimmage and four forced fumbles the last two years. He also recovered three fumbles in that span, establishing himself as the team's main playmaker. With Gatewood leading the way up front, the defense, which ranked 74th overall in 2006, improved to 16th nationally in his final campaign, allowing 325.25 yards per game.

Gatewood earned first-team All-Region Class 5A honors as a weak-side linebacker as a senior. That season, he registered 45 tackles, 2 ½ sacks, four stops for losses and two fumble recoveries, earning team Defensive MVP accolades. He also caught nine passes for 146 yards and a touchdown as a tight end.

A two-way starter as a sophomore, Gatewood sat out his junior football season to concentrate on basketball, playing a key role in the Spartans winning the 2002 state title. He also competed in track as a junior, posting personal bests of 22.7 (200 meters), 6'4" (high jump) and 22'4" (long jump).

Gatewood enrolled at Vanderbilt in 2003, playing outside linebacker on the scout team. He appeared in 11 games as a third-string strong-side linebacker in 2004, but saw most of his playing time on special teams. He finished with nine tackles (6 solos) during his first year with the varsity.

As a sophomore, Gatewood shifted to right defensive end, playing in 11 games behind Chris Booker. He posted 22 tackles (17 solos) with 2 ½ stops for losses and a pair of quarterback pressures. In 2006, he shared the team's Most Valuable Defensive Lineman Award with defensive tackle Theo Horrocks. He took over right defensive end duties, ranking fifth on the squad with 49 tackles (36 solos). He led the Commodores with seven sacks and ranked second with eight stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also caused and recovered three fumbles, and picked off a pass.

Teams were successful in containing Gatewood in 2007, as the additional weight seemed to slow him down. He started all 12 games, but produced just 30 tackles (14 solos) with 3 ½ sacks, seven stops for losses and three pressures. He caused one fumble and broke up a pass.

Positives: Has a developed upper body frame with good arm length, muscular arms, broad shoulders and good chest thickness with a tight waist … Excels playing in space, as he takes good angles to close and has a good array of pass rush moves and suddenness to surprise a lethargic offensive lineman … Has very good timed speed moving forward or working down the line, as his agility and change of direction skills let him string out running plays … Has a good burst of speed coming off the edge to pressure the pocket … Quick to bend off the edge and keeps his hands active to fend off the blocker's attempts to get into his jersey … Plays with good effort until the whistle and will chase down plays at the other side of the field … Good self-starter who does not need to be monitored in the weight room … Has good vision and anticipation skills, knowing where the ball is going and how to take good angles to shorten the field and close on the play … Might wrong shoulder and lose leverage some when he tries to run around an offensive lineman, but has the burst of speed to slip under and seal the deal on the quarterback … Not big enough to prevent a lineman from engulfing him, but keeps his hands active in attempts to take on and shed to make the play … His hand punch is good enough to stop the forward progress of a lead blocker … In limited chances, he also showed the hand technique to reroute or disengage from tight ends … Plays with good leverage to contain when the running play is coming right at him, demonstrating the sudden burst to make his tackles vs. the outside running game … Sifts through trash well and shows a good burst to close … Gives total effort to make the plays downfield and has a good feel for taking proper angles … Good head-on face-up tackler with effective wrap-up skills, but is usually giving chase or dragging down (just lacks pop on contact) … Has the speed to run with the wheel route downfield, but still needs to develop better anticipation skills when making plays in man coverage … Natural mover in short-area coverage, but will take false steps in transition … Sudden when coming off the edge and closes fast when chasing down the ballcarrier (just lacks the sand in his pants to bull rush) … His speed off the edge might make him a nice fit as a weak-side linebacker in a 3-4 alignment … His ability in space is evident by his knack for defeating the screens.

Negatives: Has to add more bulk and muscle tone to his lower body, as he has struggled to anchor vs. bigger blockers … Has had problems maintaining his weight and his frame might be at maximum growth potential, as the weight he added in 2007 seemed to have affected his overall quickness … Might have problems with a complicated playbook, as he is just a marginal student who just got by in the classroom … Lacks the power to explode behind his tackles … While efficient as a edge rusher, his strength issues will see him washed out of the play or engulfed by bigger linemen when attempting to bull rush (his weight room strength does not translate on the field) … Has the speed to chase down ballcarriers on the edge, but will get bounced around when trying to clog the inside rushing lanes … Needs to square up better when tackling (when he takes a side, he will generally fall off his tackle) … Lacks natural hands in pass coverage and despite his speed, he struggles some with his plant-and-drive, taking extra steps in transition … Needs to play on the move, as he is easily contained when battling in a phone booth … Gets too narrow with his feet and high in his stance at times, making him look sluggish when having to change direction … Has limited pass coverage skills and never started at linebacker in the college ranks, but does have prep and early Vanderbilt experience at that position.

Compares To: QUINCY BLACK-Tampa Bay … Like Black, Gatewood played on the defensive line in college, but will have to make the move to linebacker at the pro level. He played sluggishly at 245 pounds in 2007 and might be better served getting to the 230-pound range, as the additional bulk impacted his change of direction agility in 2007. He talks quite a bit on the field, but not to the point of distraction. With his ability to play in space and lack of bulk, putting him in a down position would waste his edge rushing ability. He will need patient coaching to help him develop at his new position, as he is not an astute student and needs time to digest a playbook and retain plays.

Missed all of 2006 spring drills with a right foot fracture.

Campus: 4.61 in the 40-yard dash … 365-pound bench press … Bench pressed 225 pounds 16 times … 525-pound squat … 315-pound hang clean … 33 ½-inch vertical jump … 8'11" broad jump … 33 ¼-inch arm length … 9 ¼-inch hands … Left-handed … 17/23 Wonderlic score.

Combine: 4.74 in the 40-yard dash … 1.63 10-yard dash … 2.76 20-yard dash … 4.22 20-yard shuttle … 6.93 three-cone drill … 28.5-inch vertical jump … 9'3" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 22 times.

Attended White Station (Memphis, Tenn.) High School, playing football for head coach Major Wright … Earned first-team All-Region Class 5A honors as a weak-side linebacker as a senior … That season, he registered 45 tackles, 2 ½ sacks, four stops for losses and two fumble recoveries, earning team Defensive MVP accolades … Also caught nine passes for 146 yards and a touchdown as a tight end … A two-way starter as a sophomore, Gatewood sat out his junior football season to concentrate on basketball, playing a key role in the Spartans winning the 2002 state title … Also competed in track as a junior, posting personal bests of 22.7 (200 meters), 6'4" (high jump) and 22'4" (long jump).

Human Organization major … Involved in the NAACP, Pan African Studies Group and community FCA chapter … Board member of the Youth United Way Leadership Program in Memphis … Son of Beverly Burnette and James Gatewood … Born James Curtis Gatewood on 5/18/85 … Resides in Memphis, Tennessee.