College Football Recruiting 2012: Johnathan Gray Likes Texas, TCU & Texas A&M
Aledo (Texas) running back Johnathan Gray is perhaps the best running back in the country in the 2012 recruiting class. Coveted by just about every major FBS program in the country, Gray is the total package in the backfield. He blends quickness, vision, agility and speed with natural instincts to make himself one of the most productive players ever to play prep ball in Texas.
Gray's arrow is pointing up as he has just gotten better and better. He rushed for nearly 1,000 yards as a freshman, and in just over the past two seasons, Gray has over 6,000, yes 6,000, yards and 109 touchdowns.
A fantastic prospect, Gray seems to have narrowed his list down to Texas, TCU and Texas A&M. Where's he going? Let's try to find out.
Who is Johnathan Gray?
1 of 6
Gray is the top running-back prospect in the country this year, out of Aledo, Texas. He has been perhaps the most productive player in Texas in recent memory. Gray burst on the scene as a freshman, nearly topping 1,000 yards.
His sophomore year was just silly as he ran for nearly 2,800 yards and 50 touchdowns on a 7.5 average. Then this past season, Gray just simply outdid himself, rushing for over a whopping 3,200 yards and 59 scores with a ridiculous 9.5 yards-per-carry average.
It doesn't take a math whiz or a real rocket scientist to notice a trend here with Gray. Clearly he's improved each season. I'm almost scared to think what he will do in his senior season. Is 4,000 yards and 60 touchdowns possible?
Gray Scouting Report
2 of 6
At 5'11", 195 pounds, Gray has the size to grow into an every-down back in college. He understands each play's design and intention as to when he's supposed to burst out of his stance and attack downhill or be patient to let zone runs and stretches develop.
He makes his money where a running back should, on the second level of the defense. Gray opens his basket and uses his vision to anticipate holes, creases and alleys. He has a sheer burst to jump on top of run defenders, to and through.
He's quick and elusive in the open field, but he also has the strength to break tackles. He's like a cross between Isaiah Crowell and Malcolm Brown.
He will need learn how to chip better to help his linemen in pass protection when releasing from the backfield.
Gray Receives an Offer from Texas
3 of 6
Texas held an invite-only junior day event in mid-February, where Gray was one of just 20 players on hand. He loved the visit and he was formally offered a scholarship by Mack Brown and the Longhorns.
He likes the fact that Bryan Harsin and Major Applewhite will look to re-establish the Longhorn rushing attack along with how well the current players feed off each other. Gray came away from Austin very impressed and Texas looks good right now.
Can you imagine the duo of Malcolm Brown and Gray? They could rival recent duos like Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams or Reggie Bush and LenDale White.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Gray Calls Texas A&M Visit "Great"
4 of 6
After Gray came back from Austin, he took an unofficial visit to College Station in late February with his father James, who starred for Texas Tech as a running back in years past.
Johnathan loved the visit and likes the direction in which Mike Sherman is taking the Aggies program. Gray stated to A&M web affiliates: "Being able to tour the facilities and visit with the coaches gave me a better understanding of what to expect from a coach Sherman-led team."
Look for A&M to stay right in the thick of the Gray sweepstakes. The Aggies know that in order to compete with Texas on the field, they have to battle the Longhorns on the recruiting trail, which they are not afraid to do.
Horned Frogs Using Rose Bowl and BCS Conference Move to Battle Big Boys
5 of 6
Also in Gray's final three is TCU, and do not underestimate the Horned Frogs. Gary Patterson is regarded as one of the very best coaches in the country and the Horned Frogs have been a BCS-caliber program for years before winning this past season's Rose Bowl over Wisconsin.
TCU is no stranger to having a dominant running back come to Dallas/Ft. Worth. Does the name LaDainian Tomlinson ring a bell? Gray really is intrigued with TCU and both he and his father are quite fond of Patterson.
He took in TCU's junior day recently and also noted how impressed he was with the graduation rate of the Horned Frog players. If you think there is no chance Gray goes to TCU, then you're flat-out wrong.
When Will a Decison Be Made?
6 of 6
Gray initially stated he would not make a decision on his recruitment until NSD 2012, yet the constant mail and phone calls have reportedly taken a toll on him and his family. The constant requests of unofficial visits and junior days from various colleges has prompted Gray to narrow things down to the final three, in no order: Texas, Texas A&M and TCU.
He says right now there is no timetable, but as the spring rolls along and things heat up, look for Gray to pull the trigger sometime near the summer. Malcolm Brown, the top runner in 2011, did not commit to Texas until August and I expect Gray to have a similar time table.
As for where Gray is going? Rumors have swirled he is actually a silent commit to Texas, but Gray has disputed those claims. I think Texas has the slight edge right now, but I insist to not count out A&M or TCU.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
