Edmund Gates, former all-American receiver, will follow in the footsteps of  LeBron James as he takes his talents to South Beach, Fla. to play for the Miami Dolphins.
“Its just a blessing for me; it’s a real blessing,” Gates said. “It’s a dream come true. I have wanted this for a long time.”
Gates, who was projected as a fourth-round pick, was selected 111th overall by the Miami Dolphins. After being drafted with the 111th pick, Gates became the second highest Wildcat drafted since 2006, the year Danieal Manning was drafted by the Bears 42nd overall.
“I know those guys started it all for us here at Abilene Christian. They came first and that is a blessing,” Gates said.
Gates is the second member of his family to make it to the NFL, joining his cousin Bernard Scott.
Edmund also can look at his performance at the combine as to why he was drafted. Gates posted the fastest time for any wide receiver with a 4.37 40-yard dash, the third best vertical jump of 40″, and second best broad jump with a 10’11”.
Gates will join a receiver core consisting of Pro-Bowler Brandon Marshall, Davon Bess and a myriad of other young receivers. However, the Dolphins have a question at quarterback with incumbent Chad Henne wondering about his future with the team.
With the uncertainty of the NFL lockout being reinstated Gates is unsure what his next move is.
“I don’t really know; I am going to have to sit down with my agent and figure out what’s next for me,” Gates said.