Gautier OL Paul Gainer joins Coast 'family,' commits to Mississippi State

Gautier offensive lineman Paul Gainer verbally committed to play football at Mississippi State on Saturday.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Gainer decided to go ahead and commit during his trip to Starkville for the spring game.

"I knew from day one that I wanted go there," the rising senior said.

He joins a pair of other Jackson County athletes who recently committed to the Bulldogs - Ocean Springs receiver Austin Williams and Pascagoula lineman James Jackson.

William also committed to MSU on Saturday.

"I think we'll be a real big family," Gainer said. "We're all from the Coast. We see each other and hang out now and then."

Gainer received his MSU offer on Feb. 14, but talked it over with family and took his time making his decision.

After seeing Jackson and Williams make the pledge to MSU, he was ready to go ahead and make the call.

"I thought it would be cool if all three of us are going," he said.

The scene at Saturday's spring game at MSU also helped Gainer make his final decision.

"Man, the atmosphere was live," he said.

Jackson, Williams and Gainer are all members of the 2015 Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Team.

Gainer said he expects to play on the offensive line at MSU, but doesn't know what specific position he will play for the Bulldogs.

Gainer also holds scholarship offers from Southern Miss, Memphis, Middle Tennessee and Louisiana-Lafayette.

He plans to study engineering or psychology at MSU.

This story was originally published April 16, 2016 at 5:06 PM with the headline "Gautier OL Paul Gainer joins Coast 'family,' commits to Mississippi State ."