After spending six years at Maryland, linebacker Fa’Najae Gotay felt his time there had reached its end. He believed he had grown too comfortable and was not pushing himself as hard as he could. Seeking to challenge himself and elevate his career, Gotay decided to transfer and finish his college football journey with the Auburn Tigers for the 2024 season.
During his tenure at Maryland, Gotay appeared in 42 games, accumulated 133 tackles, made 10 starts, recorded 7 tackles for loss, and secured two interceptions. In the Music City Bowl in December, he led his team in tackles with six. Familiar with Auburn through his interactions with new defensive coordinator DJ Durkin—who was also his head coach during his recruitment to Maryland—Gotay felt confident making the move to Auburn. He valued the trust and familiarity he had with Durkin, which eased his transition to the Tigers.
Facing the uncertainty of transferring, Gotay embraced the risk as a necessary step for personal growth. He reflected on the importance of taking risks to avoid future regrets, stating, “These are risks you have to take in life sometimes. If you don’t take them, I don’t want to live with the regret of wishing I would have done that.”
Gotay, who was awarded the Headhunter Award at Maryland in the spring, has been committed to football from a young age. He began playing when he was around seven or eight years old and continued to pursue it through high school, despite participating in other sports like basketball and track mainly for fitness and enjoyment. His passion for football was influenced by his mother, Donna, who encouraged him to excel academically or athletically—or ideally, both. His older brothers, Manzy and Dartanian, also played football, inspiring him to follow their path.
Attending North Fort Myers High School in Fort Myers, Florida, Gotay started on the varsity team as a freshman, which solidified his commitment to football. “Since then, I knew things would take a turn in my life if I was dedicated,” he noted.
With his final college season ahead, Gotay is focused on making the most of it. He is motivated by a desire to perform at his best, considering any success beyond his current expectations a bonus. “I came here knowing that this is my last year, and I just want to do the best I can. Anything further than where I’m at right now is a blessing in my eyes,” he stated.
Beyond his football career, Gotay has achieved significant milestones academically. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public health and leadership administration from Maryland. He began his college career in 2018, redshirted his first year, and faced interruptions due to COVID-19 and a torn pectoral muscle in 2021, which extended his eligibility into a seventh season.
Now, at 25 years old and set to turn 26 in November, Gotay is driven by future aspirations. He aims to build a successful career that allows him to enjoy life without being confined to a daily grind. Despite his achievements, he is determined to remain active and engaged. His sense of purpose is also fueled by his young family; Gotay and his long-time partner Rebecca Brust, along with their three-year-old son Fa’Najae Jr., are preparing to join the Auburn community.
Gotay is enthusiastic about the new environment at Auburn and the opportunities it presents. He looks forward to experiencing the vibrant atmosphere and support of the Auburn crowd. “I’m looking forward to having a great successful year here at Auburn. Coming in, I could feel it in my soul. I can feel the bonds. People welcomed me in with open arms right away, so I could tell this is a family. This is truly a team, and those are the teams that create success for themselves.”
