"It was tough not being able to go straight to college,
but I had no one to blame but myself. But really, it has been a blessing playing
for Coach Davis and these group of guys. We have had a lot of fun playing together,
and I have learned a lot playing here," added Raven Gray
Gray's freshman season saw him take over right where
he left off from Enterprise High school (AL).
"I had 12 sacks on the
season. I do not know how many tackles I had, but I made a lot of them."
Raven
was named 1st Team All-Mississippi juco for his on the field play, but he feels
like he will be an even more complete player this season.
"My biggest
strength is coming after the passer. I really know how to beat my man when I come
off of the ball. But this Spring, I played the run much better. You come from
high school and they just throw you in the fire in juco. You get no time to get
your feet wet. Bam, you are just right in there in the ring. I am playing with
better technique now, and I think I really held my own in the run game. My biggest
goal is to show the people that I am more than just a pass rushing specialist."
The
6' 5", 263 pound end has seen a few colleges scout him during his recent
practices.
"Coaches Orgeron and Hughes came over from Ole Miss. They
were the first school over here. Then LSU came down, and I talked to their coaches
some, and I talked with the Auburn coaches when they came down. MSU came down
too, but I did not get a chance to talk to them."
Who is coming after
this talented end the hardest?
"I got to say Ole Miss, yep, Ole Miss.
I talk to Coaches Orgeron and Hughes a lot on the phone. Yea, I would say Ole
Miss is coming after me the hardest."
What stands out about Ole Miss?
"I
just like their coaches. Coach Hughes coached one of my teammates at Hinds CC,
so I am real familiar with him. I really like Coach Hughes."
So far,
which colleges have caught Raven's eye?
"Of course Auburn and Ole
Miss. I really like Florida too. I am trying to get some big schools down here.
I like Miami too."
Raven signed with Auburn out of high school; where
do they stand?
"It is crazy. Auburn, Ole Miss...Auburn, Ole Miss.
I go back and forth every day. But right now, I would say Auburn is at the top
of my list. I talk to their coaches a lot. He is trying to help me out with my
grades a lot. I am getting out in December. Ole Miss, I have not heard from them
in a while. Auburn is showing me more interest recently where Ole Miss was before.
If Ole Miss does not step it up, it is going to be War Eagle all the way."
Watch Video