Awards and Honors:
Dean's List (F21, S22)
Athletics Director's Honor Roll (F23, S24, F24, S25)
2024: Appeared in all 12 games for the Governors at wide receiver... Hauled in his season's first catch for three yards against Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 16)… Had two catches for 23 yards in the season finale against Chattanooga (Nov. 23)... Finished the season with three receptions for 26 yards.
2023: Played in all 12 games at wide receiver and on special teams… Had a tackle at on kickoff coverage against ETSU (Sept. 16)… Made a tackle on a fake punt at Southern Utah (Oct. 21)… Recorded a tackle for loss on a fake punt against Utah Tech (Nov. 11)… Finished the season with three tackles and a tackle for loss.
2022: Played in nine games for the Governors… Made his collegiate debut against Western Kentucky (Aug. 27).
2021:Â Did not see action during the 2021 season.
High School: Played wide receiver and cornerback for Scott Wilcher at Mangham High School… Caught 27 passes for 793 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior, also passed for three touchdowns (6-for-9, 143 yards at quarterback) and rushed for a touchdown (5 carries, 56 yards) during the season… A First Team Class 2A All-State selection by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and LouisianaSportsline.com and was a First Team All-Northeast Louisiana Small School Football Team honoree… Also competed in track and field, running in the 400M dash and the 4x200M relay.Â
Personal: Vontavious Lamar Gayden is the son of Larry Bell and Shelia Gayden… Birthday is Dec. 5… Has five siblings: Josh, Marquis, Randy, Bree, and TJ… Graduated from Austin Peay in Dec. 2024 with a bachelor’s in leadership and organizational administration... Pursuing a master’s in business administration.
