Mustang’s Waleed Gaines Jr. a rare talent with rare goals
By Bryce McGinnis
Growing up a coach’s son can subject a player to unfair scrutiny.
Waleed Gaines Jr., a Division I talent at defensive back and the son of Mustang High School’s defensive coordinator, has embraced it his entire career.
“It’s put a chip on my shoulder,” said Gaines, who holds offers from UTSA and Army. “I’ve never wanted to be put in a ‘coach’s kid’ stereotype, so since I started football to now, me and my dad have always put in extra work on top of what I do with the team to really separate me from other people.”
The best adjectives a cornerback can be described as are “lockdown” and “intelligent.” Gaines has been called both.
“[I’m] aware on and off the field, which helps me read and react before I even see a play fully develop,” Gaines said. “We game plan, watch film and practice hard so that, by game time, I’m already mentally and physically prepared. Without [my coaches], I wouldn’t have the extra step or edge that I do.”
Gaines prides himself on his ability to take coaching, a trait that often escapes players his age. His maturity will be crucial in Lee Blankenship’s practices, in the locker room and on Friday nights this fall. He learned from his father “that no matter how hard he coaches or yells, he just wants the best for me.”
“I’ll only meet those goals if I’m pushed to be my very best every day,” Gaines said.
A new challenge presented itself to Gaines last fall, when he fractured his shoulder against Yukon in Week 4. He had to decide whether to sit the rest of the year or play through injury.
“At Mustang, we’re tough,” Gaines said, “so I played on a fractured shoulder the rest of the year because I knew my team needed me. It took me out for four weeks after the season, but it made me realize that if I can mentally get over a challenge, I don’t focus on how much I’m hurting or how tired I am — I’m focused on getting done what I need to.”
Armed with a new chip on his shoulder, there’s no telling where Gaines’ ceiling is. His goals include allowing two fewer passes in coverage, making All-State and leading Mustang to a state title.
“It will definitely push me beyond what I thought I was capable of last season,” Gaines said.
Gaines is confident that he will turn recruiters’ heads this year.
“I’m blessed to have two D-I offers currently but a lot of Power 5 looks and coaches talking to me,” Gaines said. “But now, I’m just waiting for any opportunity they’re willing to give me to play at the next level after this season.”
He hopes the game will take him even farther.
“I want it to take me to the NFL, honestly at this point of my high school career I can see that football has been working out for me. And now it’s just a matter of time before college does the same,” Gaines said.
