Marble Falls receiver Garrett Gray catching attention of college football scouts
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — It’s been a busy semester for Marble Falls High School receiver Garrett Gray.He has been busy in the weight room getting stronger and quicker for his senior year this coming football season. He’s been in the film room watching video to improve his game. He’s been on the practice field for spring football building a rapport with new quarterbacks and improving his foot work and technique.
The highlight of spring football is the Purple and Gold scrimmage at 8 p.m. May 23 at Mustang Stadium, 2101 Mustang Drive. The game is free to attend. KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune will broadcast the event starting with a pre-game show at 6:30 p.m.
Gray also has gotten attention from others who aren’t members of the Mustangs’ defensive secondary.
At least once a day since the start of spring drills April 30, there has been a college scout watching his every move.
The first day the visitor was from the University of Minnesota. The next day the guest was from Oregon State University. Scouts from Southern Methodist University, San Diego State University and various other schools across the country have spent a few hours watching and learning about Gray.
“Garrett Gray has gotten a lot of attention,” Mustangs head coach Todd Dodge said. “It’s great for Garrett. … He has nine Division I offers right now.”
Other universities that have expressed interest in the 6-foot 4-inch Gray include the University of California, UCLA, Northwestern, Iowa, Iowa State, Houston, Rice and Texas Tech.
Gray said he hasn’t decided on a university but is enjoying the process of being recruited.
“I think some more offers are probably going to come, and (I’ll) just weigh my options,” he said. “(I’ll) probably wait until my senior year to take some official visits and see where I fit in best.”
Another player who has caught the attention of scouts is running back Keith Jerome, who will be a senior next year.
“They’re coming to see Keith Jerome and the type of body he has, his ability, and there’s a lot of them leaving asking about him,” Dodge said. “Of course, he’s getting on a lot more people’s radar.”
The former Southlake Carroll coach said that’s how New York Jets backup quarterback Grey McElroy was recruited. Originally, the scouts were at Southlake Carroll practices to see teammate Chase Daniel, now a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, but McElroy impressed them. He went on to lead Alabama to the 2009 national title.
“So, anytime that we have the opportunity to have some college coaches here recruiting any of our players, that’s a bonus for that player and our program in general,” Dodge said.
jfierro@thepicayune.com