Florida four-star 2024 RB Rod Gainey commits to Charlotte 49ers
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Time on the recruiting trail can change everything, and for Charlotte, that extra time helped them land a four-star prospect. In late January, Rod Gainey released his list of eight favorites sharing West Virginia, Mississippi State, Penn State, Florida, Louisville, Indiana, Maryland, and UCF. Given months to work their magic, the new American Athletic Conference squad has a prized 2024 running back heading their way.
Coming in with the right pitch helped the 49ers get Gainey on campus this weekend for an official visit.
“At that stage of my recruiting process, I was low on myself,” Gainey said. “I felt teams were pushing on me saying I was too small and pushing me to be a DB. I felt like an underdog. When they came to me, I visited the first time, they showed me things they like about me, don’t like, and things their running backs do. They pointed out things that can help me.
Rod Gainey at Charlotte.
“They plan to move me around to slot and play me at running back. I’m an athlete that can be used in multiple ways, they made that clear.”
Charlotte’s belief in Gainey was pivotal in his commitment decision.
“Their coaches really believe in me,” Gainey stated. “They never said anything about me being too small. They saw that I am a real leader, and they know that I am a quiet kid, but they believe in me. It doesn’t matter how big I am, I can run the ball.”
The official visit got Rod and his family on the 49er’s bandwagon.
“I have a great connection with their coaches,” Gainey shared. “They were prepared for me when I got there. They had a PowerPoint presentation of my good and bad plays, what I need to work on, and why they like me. Their coaches gave me a lot of good reasons why I like their school. My mom loved it too.”
Committing on Monday to running backs coach Greg Froelich and offensive coordinator Mike Miller, Gainey spoke about their reaction to the good news.
“They were happy,” Gainey said. “They welcomed me with open arms.”
Finding that program that believes in Gainey serves as further motivation for the Tampa Bay Tech prospect.
“It will make me play better,” Gainey stated. “Going to practice and working out, it will make me feel better knowing there is a team that believes in me.”
Gainey is the highest rated recruit of six currently tied to the 49ers 2024 class joining three-stars (QB) Deshawn Purdie and (LB) Chris Lee Jr.
*Click the link for Rod Gainey’s April 18 RNG interview.