AUSTIN, Texas — Micah Gifford starting making a name for himself in the Austin area football scene at a young age. He was one of the top players on the Austin Steelers youth league team that was featured on the reality TV show "Friday Night Tykes." 

What You Need To Know

  • Micah Gifford is a 6’3 wide receiver

  • He played on varsity as a sophomore

  • Had 13 touchdowns last season

  • Committed to play at Baylor in college

“Been playing football my whole life starting with the Austin Steelers,” Gifford says. “Growing up with that group of kids has basically made me who I am.”

That group of kids included a few guys that are now seniors and some of the top recruits in the area. Two of his former teammates are now standouts at Austin LBJ, Latreveon McCuthin, a Minnesota commit, and Sedrick Alexander, a Vanderbilt commit.

“We’re all coming up to be who we are getting D1 offers,” Gifford said.

While those guys have had their success in high school at LBJ, Gifford has been a huge part of the Pflugerville Weiss offense since his sophomore year. He could find playing time in a crowded receiver’s room with some great older players that helped guide him.

“It was Tavian Cord, Price Morgan and Jeremiah Robinson and they each taught me a different part of the game,” says Gifford.

What Gifford has that differed from those guys is a height advantage. At six-foot-three-inches and close to 200 pounds, he has the physical ability, but Gifford had to learn to play the position.

“I was basically the tall guy that could go up and get the ball,” says Gifford. “I don’t even think I was cutting on routes back then, but now everything has to be perfect.”

As his game has developed, his role on the high powered Weiss offense has increased. Gifford caught 44 passes for almost 900 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021. His success on the field led to him getting noticed by colleges and the offers starting coming in. 

“When it actually started coming, I was slightly surprised, but I was like I got to get used to this,” says Gifford.

He received offers from multiple power five programs across the country, but one from a school just up the road stood out.

“When Coach (Dallas) Baker came in it was like an instant connection and I instantly wanted to commit,” says Gifford. “I feel like Baylor is the right place for me.”

Gifford gave that commitment to the defending Big 12 champ Bears back in early February and plans to sign with them in December. He hopes to one day play in the NFL and help take care of his family.

“Just to be able to go to college for free and take that burden off my parents is what really drives me,” says Gifford. “To be able to have a shot to make it to the NFL under great coaching, like Coach Aranda, that’s basically what drives me.”

Before getting to Baylor, Gifford is hoping to lead Weiss on another playoff run and finish out his high school career with a big senior season.