TEN • LB • #51
Gray was recruited as an athlete by mostly lower-division schools until UNC HC Mack Brown made him an offer. While the Charlotte product only played six defensive snaps during the tumultuous 2020 campaign, he became an indispensable leader of the defense as a sophomore by accruing 100 tackles and two interceptions in his first taste of extended reps. Gray would go on to post three-consecutive seasons of 100-plus tackles, while being named First Team All-ACC in each of his last two campaigns. He proved his chops in coverage with 72nd percentile PFF cover grades in each year as a starter while allowing a sub-70% completion rate when targeted in all three seasons. Gray’s burst is on display when read/reacting and crashing downhill, which along with his high football IQ helps to keep him in the play on most downs. He doesn’t have the upper body strength to absorb heavy contact from NFL-sized blockers, but is crafty in how he dips around them. He should compete for immediate playing time in the Tennessee linebacker room.
about 1 year ago
April 27, 2024 4:28 PM
