MIAMI (April 13, 2020) - Next up in our Q&A series with FIU football is linebacker, Jamal Gates. The Palm Beach Gardens native had a breakout season in 2019, as the Panther linebacker ranked second on the team with 85 tackles. 

Gates played and started in all 13 games for the Panthers in 2019 and logged six games with at least seven-or-more tackles, with two of those being double-digit games. Gates had a pair of breakout games in 2019 with a career-high 12 tackles against Louisiana Tech and a timely interception against Miami to lead the Panthers to a 30-24 victory over the Hurricanes. 

Gates is now preparing for his final season in Blue & Gold, as FIU's leading returning tackler took time for a virtual Q&A with FIUSports.com.

Q: What was your most memorable moment from the 2019 season?
A: "The most memorable moment was my interception against Miami to help beat UM."

Q: How does it feel to play for Butch Davis?
A: "Coach Davis is a GOAT. It feels good to be playing for somebody who fully understands the ins and outs of football from the collegiate levels to the pros."

Q: What bonds together the linebackers?
A: "We are all brothers on and off the field, we can flip the switch and become serious on the field and hilarious off the field. The bond that we all have with one another will take us a long way this season."

Q: Who is the toughest person to tackle on the team?
A: "I would have to say Flex (Lexington Joseph), because he is small and shifty."

Q: What has been your favorite class at FIU?
A: "I'm a criminal justice major and I want to become a U.S. Marshal one day, so I would say my favorite class was terrorism and homeland security because it shows the importance of duty along the lines."

Q: What is your main goal for 2020?
A: "The main goal for 2020 is to go 1-0 every week and improve as a unit each game."

Q: Who has been your biggest mentor for your football career?
A: "My dad has been my biggest mentor, because he looks at things from a different point of view and he always tells me what I need to hear."

Q: Who was your first pro jersey?
A: "I had a Michael Vick Falcons jersey."

Q: What shows on Netflix are you binging right now?
A: "Currently watching Blacklist."

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