Gerald Alexander made a proclamation to Ty’rese Gibson at a highly competitive 7-on-7 tournament in Southern California more than a year ago.
Alexander, a former Boise State standout, NFL Draft pick and rising star in the coaching world, was in Los Angeles recruiting his first and only off-season as the defensive backs coach at Montana State. Ty’Rese Gibson, at the time a talented junior-to-be cornerback from Paramount High, snared an interception right in front of Alexander.
“He pulled me over and said, ‘If you get your hands on the ball one more time, I’m going to offer you and your brother on the spot,” Ty’Rese Gibson said.
Paramount High CBs Ty’Rhae Gibson (3) and Ty’Rese Gibson (2)/ contributed
Ty’Rese and Ty’Rhae Gibson have transformed into a pair of the top defensive back recruits in Southern California. True to his word, Alexander called both twin brothers following that 7-on-7 exhibition and offered full scholarships to Montana State.
“Ever since then, Montana State has just been committed to us,” Ty’Rese Gibson said in an interview with Skyline Sports in early August. “We will have some coaches offer us and then we won’t hear from them again. Montana State makes us feel like a part of their family.”
Since last summer, the twins have garnered offers from San Jose State, Idaho and Howard. San Diego State, UNLV, Hawaii and Montana have also expressed interest.
On Montana State’s side of things, Alexander made the jump to the Pac 12, joining Justin Wilcox’s staff at Cal last December.
New Montana State secondary coach Mark Orphey took over the Gibson’s recruiting. The twins say Orphey sends them messages and inspirational quotes “at least twice a week” ever since taking his position on Jeff Choate’s staff. The constant contact from the MSU coaching staff coupled with a little help from Alexander helped Montana State secure verbal commitments from the twins earlier this summer.
“Gerald Alexander, that was our guy but when he was leaving, he told us we should stay at Montana State because it would still be a good decision for us,” Ty’Rhae Gibson said in an interview with Skyline Sports in early August. “Even when we committed, he hit me up on Twitter and said he was proud of us and that it was a good decision for us. He was happy for us.”
“We just felt like a family, like we will be welcomed there,” Ty’Rese added. “They are the only school who has been giving us full interest.”
Montana State secondary coach Mark Orphey coaches former CB Darren Gardenhire (4)/ by Brooks Nuanez
Ty’Rese Gibson is a 6-foot-1, 175-pound cornerback with press man-to-man skills. His MaxPreps profile credits him with 100 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four sacks as a sophomore. As a junior, he earned a 2-star rating by notching 56 tackles, six tackles for loss, a sack and an interception. Offensively, he caught 14 passes for 393 yards and seven touchdowns as Paramount High finished 8-4, including a playoff victory.
Ty’Rhae Gibson is a 6-foot-1, 165-pound cornerback with similar press coverage abilities. As a junior, he piled up 71 tackles, three tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and notched four interceptions. He had 59 tackles and a sack as a sophomore.
“We always have that discussion with our parents and our family and they have always wanted us to stick together and we have too,” Ty’Rhae said. “We’ve never been away from each other. This is a good opportunity for both of us to keep doing what we are doing, stay together as a package deal.”
The twins said they wanted to find some a school who would offer both of them while also providing an opportunity to play right away. Montana State fits the bill.
“Whatever school we go to, we expecting to play right away wherever we go,” Ty’Rese said. “That’s our mentality.”
“Corner, that’s what we been playing since we’ve started up but we can play anything, honestly,” Ty’Rhae said. “Playing early, that’s our main focus right now. All we have to do is do a little extra work and get it going. We’ve been playing with older kids our whole lives. We good with that, that’s not a problem.”
Montana State sophomore running back Edward Vander
The Gibsons will follow in former Paramount running back Edward Vander’s steps on the way to Bozeman. Vander was the Trinity League MVP his junior year at JSerra Catholic before spending his senior year at Paramount. He spent last season at Saddleback Community College and is in competition to be MSU’s starting running back this fall.
“That’s my boy,” Ty’Rese said. “I was just talking to him. He was telling me about the cornerbacks, that there’s two good cornerbacks right now.”
“Edward, that’s my guy,” Ty’Rhae agreed. “He’s the one who really convinced us into coming up there because we thought it was just going to be boring. But he said it’s real cool up there and we are going to be able to have a good time and do what we do.”
Alexander helped lure standout Southern California cornerbacks Jalen Cole and Tyrel Thomas to MSU in Choate’s first recruiting class. Even though he is gone, his influence continues with the commitment of the Gibsons, who, despite never stepping foot in Montana, are excited to become Bobcats.
“Honestly, it’s hard work and appreciation of my parents for sticking with us throughout all this grind,” Tyrese said. “This means a lot. My parents are very excited. They are the ones who want the package deal so this means a lot to them.”
“It’s just a blessing, man,” Ty’Rhae said. “I have to thank God because not everybody gets the opportunity to do this, especially when you have a twin brother and you can stick with him and go travel and all that good stuff. That’s just a blessing to be honest.”
Photos courtesy of Gibson family. All Rights Reserved.
