Charles Gaines Jr. (born October 3, 1992) is a former American football cornerback. He played college football at Louisville.

Gaines attended Miami Central High School in Miami, Florida, where he was part of the same graduating class as teammates Rakeem Cato, Tommy Shuler, Durell Eskridge and Devonta Freeman.^[1] As a senior, he helped lead his team to a class 6-A state title, recording a second quarter interception which he returned for a touchdown.^[2]

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated as the 43rd best wide receiver prospect of his class.^[3] On September 26, 2010, he accepted a scholarship and committed to the University of Louisville.^[4]

Gaines redshirted as a true freshman in 2011, after enrolling early in January 2011 with Teddy Bridgewater. In 2012, as a wide receiver, he caught 11 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown, but missed the final five games of the season due to a suspension, his second one that year.^[5] He returned to the team in April 2013, where he was moved to cornerback.^[6] He played in all 13 games, making 11 starts. He recorded 22 tackles and a team leading five interceptions, and earned first-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) honors. In 2014, he started 11 games for the Cardinals, recording 36 tackles with two interceptions.

Following the season, he announced he would forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2015 NFL draft.^[7]