Brief Introduction of Izaiah Gathings
Izaiah Gathings is an American football tight end who has navigated a dynamic professional journey since entering the league as an undrafted free agent. Known for his impressive size, athleticism, and background as a dominant collegiate wide receiver, Gathings has been a part of several NFL organizations, including the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, and Pittsburgh Steelers. His career is a testament to his resilience and determination, transitioning from a celebrated player at the FCS and FBS collegiate levels to battling for a roster spot in the highly competitive landscape of professional football. Before his professional career, he made a significant impact at both Gardner-Webb University, where he had a thousand-yard receiving season, and later at Middle Tennessee State University. Gathings’ athletic lineage, with his father being a former conference basketball player of the year, laid a strong foundation for his own pursuits in competitive sports.
Izaiah Gathings Overview
| Full Name | Izaiah Gathings-Rice |
| Date of Birth | September 18, 2000 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 25 |
| Birthplace | Statesville, North Carolina, USA |
| Profession | American Football Player (Tight End) |
| Husband/Wife | Not publicly available |
| Family | Father: Danny Gathings |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Information not disclosed |
| Net Worth | Estimated to be under $1 million |
Early Life and Education of Izaiah Gathings
Izaiah Gathings was born on September 18, 2000, in Statesville, North Carolina. He was raised in an environment steeped in athletic excellence, which heavily influenced his own development as a sportsman. His father, Danny Gathings, was a celebrated basketball player at High Point University, earning the title of Big South Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year in 2004. This athletic heritage provided a strong foundation for Izaiah’s future endeavors. He attended Statesville High School, where he was a standout multi-sport athlete, excelling in both football and basketball. On the gridiron, under the guidance of Coach Randall Gusler, Gathings was a formidable presence as a wide receiver. His performance earned him two-time All-Conference selections and a first-team All-County honor from the Statesville Record & Landmark during his senior year. In his final high school season in 2017, he recorded impressive statistics, catching 48 passes for 642 yards and eight touchdowns, contributing significantly to the Greyhounds’ 9-3 record. His prowess was equally evident on the basketball court, where his size and agility made him a dominant force. He was named the Iredell County Boys Basketball Player of the Year for the 2016-2017 season after averaging 11.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game as a junior. His remarkable high school career showcased his tremendous length, athleticism, and natural talent, setting the stage for his transition to collegiate athletics.
Izaiah Gathings’s Career
Izaiah Gathings’ football journey has been one of perseverance, showcasing his talent across different collegiate levels before transitioning to the professional ranks. His career began at Gardner-Webb University, an FCS program, where he enrolled in 2018. In his freshman year, he played in eight games, securing four receptions for 28 yards. The following year, Gathings had a breakout sophomore season in 2019, establishing himself as a premier receiver in the Big South Conference. Starting in all 12 games, he led his team with an impressive 71 catches for 1,046 yards and 11 touchdowns. His performance that season highlighted his big-play ability and physical dominance. In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he continued to be a key player, leading the team with 26 receptions for 267 yards and two touchdowns in just four games. Following three successful seasons at Gardner-Webb, Gathings transferred to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), moving up to the FBS level. In his first year with the Blue Raiders in 2021, he played in 12 games, starting four, and finished with 24 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown. He became a full-time starter in 2022, where he was second on the team with 60 catches for 559 yards and two touchdowns. A notable performance from his final college season was in the 2022 Hawai’i Bowl, where he made seven catches for 69 yards in a victory, including a crucial third-down conversion on the game-winning drive.
Despite a productive college career, Gathings went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. He first signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent after a successful tryout at their rookie minicamp. However, his time with the Jets was brief, and he was waived in July 2023. Shortly after, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs but was waived again in late August. Demonstrating his resilience, Gathings re-signed with the Chiefs’ practice squad in December 2023, where he spent the remainder of the season. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs in February 2024 but was waived in May. His journey continued when the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him to a one-year contract in late May 2024. This opportunity was also short-lived, as he was waived less than a week later. He had another brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, signing with them in July 2024 before being waived with an injury designation in early August. In 2025, seeking a new platform to showcase his skills, Gathings signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL), marking a new chapter in his professional career. Throughout his professional journey, he has transitioned from a wide receiver to a tight end, a move that leverages his large frame and pass-catching abilities.
Izaiah Gathings Personal Life & Family
Izaiah Gathings comes from a family with a strong athletic background. His father, Danny Gathings, was a standout college basketball player for High Point University and was named the Big South Conference Player of the Year in 2004. This athletic lineage has undoubtedly played a role in Izaiah’s own sporting career. Publicly available information regarding other family members, such as his mother or any siblings, is not widely disclosed. Similarly, details about his personal life, including his relationship status, are not in the public domain. He maintains a private life off the football field. His full name is Izaiah Gathings-Rice.
Awards and Achievements of Izaiah Gathings
- 2020 All-Big South First Team
- 2021 All-Big South First Team
- Iredell County Boys Basketball Player of the Year (2016-2017)
- Two-time All-Conference selection in high school football
- First-team All-County by the Statesville Record & Landmark in high school football
Izaiah Gathings Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Izaiah Gathings’s net worth is not publicly specified, but it is estimated to be under $1 million based on his career earnings. As a player who has been on the cusp of securing a long-term NFL roster spot, his income has primarily come from a series of short-term contracts and practice squad salaries. In 2024, he signed a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs for $795,000, which is the league minimum for a player with his level of experience. This contract, like many of his others, was not guaranteed. His career earnings through his time on various NFL practice squads and brief contracts have been modest. Spotrac reports his career earnings through 2025 as approximately $36,000. These figures reflect the financial reality for many undrafted players striving to establish a foothold in the league. His signing with the UFL is expected to provide another source of income.
Legacy and Influence
While Izaiah Gathings is still actively building his professional career, his journey serves as an inspiration for athletes who face the challenge of going undrafted. His persistence in navigating the NFL, securing multiple contracts and practice squad opportunities with teams like the Chiefs, Jets, and Steelers, speaks to his work ethic and the potential that professional scouts see in him. At the collegiate level, he left a significant mark, particularly at Gardner-Webb, where he delivered a 1,000-yard receiving season, a notable achievement that showcased his capabilities as a top-tier receiver at the FCS level. His successful transition to the FBS with Middle Tennessee State further solidified his reputation as a reliable and productive pass-catcher. Gathings’ story is one of resilience and adaptability, transitioning from a celebrated college receiver to a versatile tight end at the professional level. His ability to consistently earn opportunities in the highly competitive world of professional football is a testament to his talent and unwavering determination.
Interesting Facts about Izaiah Gathings
- His father, Danny Gathings, was the 2004 Big South Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year while playing for High Point University.
- In high school, he was a dual-sport star, earning Iredell County Boys Basketball Player of the Year honors in the 2016-2017 season.
- He recorded an impressive 1,046 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his sophomore season at Gardner-Webb University.
- Gathings earned a spot on the New York Jets’ 90-man roster in 2023 after being a tryout player at their rookie minicamp, a rare accomplishment for an undrafted free agent.
- He made a crucial 11-yard reception on a third-down play during the game-winning drive for Middle Tennessee State in the 2022 Hawai’i Bowl.
- At the NFL level, he has primarily been viewed as a tight end, a transition from his college position of wide receiver.
Controversies
There is no publicly available information regarding any controversies involving Izaiah Gathings.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Information not disclosed
- Twitter – Information not disclosed
- YouTube – Information not disclosed
Final Words about Izaiah Gathings
Izaiah Gathings embodies the grit and perseverance required to forge a career in professional football, especially for a player who entered the league without the fanfare of being a high draft pick. His journey from a dominant force in college to a resilient professional battling for his place in the NFL and now the UFL is a compelling narrative of dedication. With a notable collegiate career that featured numerous accolades and standout performances, he has consistently demonstrated the physical tools and on-field intelligence to compete at a high level. While he is still working to secure a permanent and prominent role on a professional roster, his continuous ability to earn contracts with multiple franchises underscores the value teams see in his potential. As he continues his career with the San Antonio Brahmas, Izaiah Gathings remains a player to watch, driven by a powerful athletic lineage and an unyielding determination to succeed.
