Tymir Gaines

Tymir Gaines isn’t just one of Florida’s most explosive high school football players—he’s a young man with a mission to turn family legacy into personal greatness.

The Mount Dora High School senior is coming off a breakout junior season that saw him average 8.1 yards per carry and rack up 2,237 all-purpose yards and 26 touchdowns. With electric speed, powerful vision and a relentless drive, Tymir has become the heart of the Hurricanes’ offense and one of the top returning talents in the state.

But his path to the endzone wasn’t always so clear.

“When I was about 6 or 7, I started out playing football on the offensive line,” Tymir recalls with a smile. “Eventually the coaches said I was too small, so they started moving me around—and one game at running back, I scored five touchdowns. That’s when I knew I found my spot.”

Since then, Tymir has been nothing short of a force. Whether it’s burning defenders down the sideline, lowering his shoulder between the tackles or catching passes out of the backfield, his versatility makes him nearly impossible to game-plan against.

Mount Dora Head Coach Luke Hutchinson calls Tymir a game changer, not only for his stats, but for his mindset.

“Tymir is a special kind of player,” says Coach Hutchinson. “He has that rare combination of talent and work ethic. He’s the kind of guy who shows up early, stays late and leads by example. What sets him apart is how much he genuinely loves the game and how much he wants to represent his family and community the right way.”

That love for the game is rooted in his upbringing. Tymir credits his family, especially his mother, Ashley Griffin for her unwavering support. He also points to his father, Victor Gaines, Jr., as a major motivator who always pushes him to be his best. 

His uncles have also played significant roles in his life, especially Uncle Petey, who was a high school football standout in his day.  He once held scholarship offers from top programs like Florida State but never made it to the collegiate level.

“Uncle Petey made a mistake, and I want to carry that dream forward,” Tymir says. “I want to make it far, not just for me, but for him.”

Another uncle, Fred Griffin Jr., has had a profound influence on Tymir’s spiritual growth, encouraging him to stay grounded, remain positive and lead with humility. “He tells me to keep God first and everything else will fall into place,” Tymir says.

Off the field, Tymir is equally impressive. He’s a key member of Mount Dora High’s track team, competing in the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay. This past spring, he ran on the record-breaking 4x100m relay team alongside D’Micah Lowman, Zyshonne Perry and Jonathan Wilson, that clocked a 43.79 to break a 20-year-old Mount Dora High School record.

As he heads into his senior season, Tymir reflects fondly on all he’s done. His favorite memory? Scoring his first varsity touchdown against Leesburg High. Another? A 300-yard, five-touchdown performance against rival Eustis High School.

His inspiration on the field is none other than NFL great Marshawn Lynch, famously known as “Beast Mode.” Lynch is a former professional football player and American actor who spent 12 seasons in the NFL as a running back, most notably with the Seattle Seahawks.

“I love how Marshawn ran the ball” Tymir says. “He was fearless. That’s how I try to play. ‘Beast Mode’ isn’t just a saying to me. It’s a mindset.”

Looking ahead, Tymir hopes to continue playing football at the collegiate level while he majors in sports management or sports science. His message to younger athletes is one of humility and diligence.

“Work hard, listen to your coaches and trust your teammates,” he says. “Hard work pays off. And remember, it’s not always about being the biggest or fastest, it’s about heart.”

Photos: Nicole Hamel and Joe Ott